Something I've been looking for

[amadea]

I've been casting around lately for ways to wish people strength and courage in their challenging endeavors, that are neither overly dramatic (i.e. hang in there! stay strong!) colloquial (keep on truckin'!) or dependent on certain kinds of cultural knowledge or belief (good luck and godspeed! may the force be with you!). Mostly this is for

Comments

[rosefox]

I use "hang in there" without the exclamation point. I got it from a very Scandi midwestern friend, so I don't think of it as dramatic.

[badriyaz]

Maybe something along the lines of "I'm looking forward to seeing you (accomplish X)," said with an encouraging smile? It implies you have faith in them, and that you are emotionally supportive of them.

[inhumandecency]

I use "good luck," but I've never been satisfied with it, for the reasons you mention.

[jjjiii]

I tell people that I think what they're working on is important and that I'm excited to see what they do with it. Or I try to connect it with another concurrent development and point out how the two could combine. Or reference them to communities or individuals who might be interested in their work, or in helping out.

[xanthi]

You've been very encouraging to me, and I appreciate it more than I could possibly say. Positive reinforcement (at least according to the clinical studies I've looked into) is most effective and longer lasting. You are a positive reinforcer--awesomeness! :D A thousand thanks