Getting sober from alcohol or drugs can be difficult. Staying that way can be even harder. A tattoo can stand as a reminder of your sobriety. Next time you're tempted to drink or take drugs, seeing the tattoo can be a sharp reminder of what you're putting at risk. Consider getting the word "sober" or "don't abuse" tattooed in a place that you'd likely see if you were tempted to drink or take drugs. As well, you could consider getting tattooed tally marks for each year you've been sober as a continual reminder.
Jim Valvano was a popular coach known for not only winning the NCAA championship as the coach of North Carolina State, but also for his phrase "Don't give up. Don't ever give up," which he said in a powerful speech before his death from cancer. Having this tattooed on your body can be a reminder to you anytime you're thinking of throwing in the towel in whatever you're doing. It can be a helpful reminder to just keep pushing, to just keep going, and that if you do so, you can achieve what you've always wanted.
Many people get motivation from getting tattoos of words in a language that is foreign to them. It can be a simple word, such as "love" or several words that deliver a powerful message. A popular phrase is the Latin phrase, "Carpe Diem" (seize the day). Plus, this can make for a good conversation starter, as people will often ask what the words mean, since there's a good chance it won't be in their normal language. When sharing what it means, this could start a conversation on the message behind the words, and you could find even more motivation thanks to the discussion.
In life, relatives or loved ones can often provide motivation to work hard, do what's right and be a good person. Consequently, getting a tattoo of the relative or loved one's name or face can stand as a continual reminder of that person and the motivation she gives you. For some it might be their own child. For others it could be a parent, grandparent or friend. Perhaps it might be someone who passed away. Whatever the case, seeing the name or face on your body can be a reminder to do the right thing to make your loved ones proud.