Do Motivational T-Shirts Mean We Can Perform Better?

Believe it or not, we found yet another article today about the effects of motivational t-shirts. The biggest surprise is The Simpsons, a well beloved animated prime time TV show is what sparked the conversation for the two individuals that wrote about it.

Can we perform better as a result of what we are wearing? Do certain types of clothes make us feel better or do they make us look better and therefore we feel better?

Two researchers from Northwestern were curious when they saw an episode of The Simpsons that got them thinking about how Homer was perceived differently by the students at the school where he was a janitor.

What was the big deal? It was a drab gray uniform that was given to Homer to wear for work. Upon the event of a rainstorm, the dye was washed off revealing tye-dye which really got the students attention! They were a bit freaked out. So, I guess the students thought he was in a Hazmat suit or maybe a zombie?

Whatever the case may be, how we dress sends a message. Many people perceive how you dress differently dependent upon the style they like too. Those that dress with a Goth style appreciate others dressed in a Goth style. There are many who freak out when they see individuals dressed in Goth type clothing.

Motivational t-shirts are their own story, and you'll see tons of folks wearing them in the gym. In fact, the two researchers on this project coined the term "enclothed cognition", and talk about how it relates to how people feel better able to work out because of what they wear.

While in a lab, some students were given lab coats while others just wore what they showed up in. Surprisingly, those students wearing lab coats did much better than those without. Why? Lab coats trigger the thought that "Hey these people are smart." Some might say, "Wow, they look smart.."

The same applies to motivational t-shirts. Some people feel better about themselves just by wearing them. Naturally, if something is written or printed on a t-shirt, people will look at it. We are creatures of habit. We have to look, otherwise we wouldn't be human!

Aside from "motivational t-shirts", consider the company Lululemon that makes fitness apparel. Many women won't wear the yoga pants if they don't feel their shape is adequate enough to do so. They won't wear spandex or the Wunder Unders that the company sells for $82.

However, if you see someone wearing these outfits, you'll think, "Wow, they must be in good shape because they work out." It's all about perception, and certain types of clothing will no doubt send a message to those that see you. Would you like the impression to at least be a positive one?

Wouldn't you like for people to believe that you are courageous? What about getting people to believe that you stand for something? We can help. Please be sure to stop by and check out our full line of apparel designs to inspire courage, inspiration and motivation. You can go HERE to find our motivational t-shirts NOW!

Motivational TShirts and the Fortune Cookie Message that Inspires!

Have you checked out our motivational tshirts HERE? We have still been on the search for more stories about what motivational apparel is doing for people as we continue to expand our apparel line all for you! 

We came across an interesting story today about Kristen Golden out of Massachusettes and her mission to encourage others by putting fortune cookie messages on tshirts. 

As an avid collector of fortune messages from her fortune cookies, Golden decided that it would be a good idea to share those messages on tshirts where more people could see them and enjoy them. 

Her motivation for doing this was her realization that even a message tucked into a fortune cookie could motivate her to make better choices because it made her stop and think about it for a second. 

In her mind, if only a moment was more than enough to inspire her to get to work on these shirts. 

As most folks do, she looks at the messages she gets as if it is truly speaking to her. Have you ever had that moment when you cracked open a fortune cookie and the message inside just seemed to fit? Golden has had the same experience. 

Not only did Golden take her idea to market, but back in July of this year she inspired several women at a business pitch event that she won. The contest is known as "Count Me In for Women's Economic Dependence". 

Golden is taking her motivational tshirts to a whole new level, and she is part of a business accelerator program that aims to help women get their businesses to $250,000 in sales yearly. Not bad eh? 

Golden's story is more than just motivational tshirts though. Her story is one of years of working as a Director of Safe Passage with women coming out of violent circumstances, poor family influences, and more. What she learned from these women has motivated her to do more and be more for herself and for others. 

This is her true passion behind everything she is doing,but her desire to build a business was there along with a good idea that has turned into a great idea! She knew that if these women could be resilient, so could she. Her inspiration to all those women around her is amazing, and we would like to do the same here for you at Courageous Life! 

If you are seeking some "motivational tshirts" for you and your family and friends, stop at our SHOP LINK, and take a look at how you can promote living courageously! 

Why Motivational TShirts Are Getting Attention

Have you heard that motivational tshirts are getting criticism in the Wall Street Journal. This isn't being taken lightly, in fact the writer of the article, Chad Stafko takes a harsh standpoint about these tshirts being worn by runners. 

The idea? That runners boast about what they do, and if wearing tshirts that boast they are runners isn't enough, they also have bumper stickers devoted to sharing how far they have run. Hmmm. What about those that wear stickers on the day they gave blood? 

Does that make them overzealous about it? Not necessarily. In fact, it can help to encourage others to give blood as well. Even if the decals state the number of miles they run per day, perhaps someone will see it and get motivated to take better care of themselves. Right?

The writer didn't see it that way, but at Courageous Life we look at things a bit differently. We believe that what you wear says a lot about you and what you stand for. In fact, the message on your shirt can cause someone to smile, or even change their outlook on the day completely. Would you agree? 

We aren't saying that tshirts are life changing, meaning completely, but consider the impact they could have even for a moment. Think about how great it is that someone could recall what your tshirt, hat, or even your decal said. They could even share that with someone later on in another conversation. 

Motivational tshirts aren't something that people wear to brag, but in my opinion they often encourage others to do an activity. Inspiring others to take action is what leadership is all about. The writer even states that a study shows that there were 15.5 million people participating in marathons in 2012 versus the 13 million in 2010.

So, the idea that wearing these tshirts doesn't work is simply not true. As runners wear their marathon shirts in races and as they are out and about in public, they clearly just want to share a message. We want to share ours too. 

Our message is one that states positive thoughts and at least gets others thinking about how they can inspire others too. If you want to check out the article just out of curiosity sake, you can go here: http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304448204579186401818882202. 

If you would like to check out our motivational tshirts and see what we have to encourage you as well as those around you, go HERE to learn more!