What to write in a good luck card

Good luck cards are harder than they look, because “good luck” implies the outcome is chance and most of what people are facing is not. The lines that land acknowledge the work already done — the training, the revision, the preparation — and then wish them well in it. That small shift is the difference between a card that reassures and one that adds pressure.

Warm

Friendly, unfussy, safe with almost anybody.

• Go well. You’ve done the work; now go and enjoy it.
• Good luck! Whatever happens, you’ve already earned the right to be there.
• Thinking of you. Go and do the thing.
• Good luck — you’re more ready than you feel.
• Rooting for you, start to finish.

Funny

A joke with affection behind it. Read the room first.

• Good luck. Try not to peak during the warm-up.
• You’ve got this. And if not, there’s always cake afterwards.
• Good luck! I’ll be the one shouting the wrong name.
• Break a leg. Not literally. Please not literally.
• Good luck. Remember: everyone else is winging it too.

Heartfelt

For the people you would actually say this to out loud.

• You’ve put in months for this. However it goes, I’m proud of you already.
• Good luck. Whatever the result, nothing changes what I think of you.
• Go well. I’ve watched how hard you’ve worked and I hope today repays it.
• Thinking of you today. You’ve got more in you than you know.
• Good luck — and whatever happens, come and tell me about it.

Simple

When short is the right answer, and it often is.

• Good luck!
• Go well.
• You’ve got this.
• Thinking of you today.
• All the best — good luck.

What to avoid

• Don’t say “don’t be nervous”. Nerves are not a decision.
• Don’t promise them they’ll win. If it goes the other way, the card is what they reread.
• Don’t bring up the last time it went badly, even as encouragement.
• Don’t make the card about how much pressure is on them.