a picture of you getting dropped by someone that you wouldn’t consider a friend 
also, if you have something taped on your bike, put a smiley face on it. studies show the expression helps us go harder. i’ve highly considered it.
Good Luck!
This made my head hurt this am. Though I really like it. Would you mind if I figure out how to make a poster with it for my wife’s classroom?
Ha! I’ve totally done that! Not because of scientific study but just because a smiley face seems to make everything better. Thanks Forrest for inventing it! 
As for the ‘taped to the bike’, I’ve done that a lot too. By design, whatever you write has to be short and pack a punch.
dprimm,
regarding the poster idea, go for it! edit at will. there’s nothing in there that I ultimately didn’t “borrow” from someone else. at my age (77) no one is going to call me out when I start sandbagging so it falls to me to call myself out. I try to come up with stuff that relates to motive more than competition. without motive, I’ll never have enough of whatever else i do have to make up for the motivational shortfall. motive makes it personal. it honestly answers the “why am i doing this” question like nothing else can. while part of my objective is to enhance road time at high elevation (canyons around Salt Lake) my key objective is simply to enhance life outcomes as the years roll on. without maximum possible cardio/pulmonary capacity, nothing else will work as good as it could. the lights gotta be on in the “engine room”. the harsh reality about bodies is you get only one. that thought is more “up close and personal” now than it was 50 years ago. I’m pleased with the potential application in a classroom!! the concept has much broader application than the way I use it.
“If you can read this you’re not working hard enough” 
Love the journey
One day where I’m at now will be easy
That feeling of being able to ride forever is waiting
I get ridiculously excited about progression and see The Plan ahead of me.
I Really like this.
Not saying I rip up mtn sides with 4% fat on me…
But I know the feeling he’s talking about🔥
I’m thinking of this for a poster
“Real athletes don’t waste time or energy staring at posters. Focus and get back to work.”
“Be stronger than your strongest excuse.”
Improvement means your desire to change must be greater than your desire to stay the same.
“Start Strong, Finish Stronger”
I like that one during races. Keeps me from blowing up too soon and works during training too.
Related to this thread, any recommendations for websites that sell posters like this? Motivational or cycling posters for the pain cave?
“even the struggles are an opportunity”
one I relate to on a regular basis😄
On local short sharp mtb climbs:
You’ve done this before, you can do it again, failing is an excuse.
“once you got it up, keep it up!” - American Flyers
Tough times never last, tough people do.
“Nate is faster than you…at elevation.”