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The impact of words can be far-reaching and long-lasting. By becoming aware of your words and choosing them wisely, you will not only have fantastic effects on your life; you will also unlock a world of opportunities that extend beyond what you could ever imagine. So, don’t be lazy in language. Create a fulfilling life for yourself and those around you by leveraging the power of words!
Words hold immense power whether they are spoken or written, said to someone else, or to yourself in the form of self-talk. Words carry energy and have the ability to evoke emotions, shape thoughts, actions, behaviours and perceptions, experiences, impact the course of events, create connections, inspire change, turn around any life situation, provide support when facing challenges, and even cause harm.
Leverage the benefits of using rich and diverse language:
Written: While emojis, GIFs, and abbreviations have their place in conveying certain emotions or ideas, relying solely on them can unintentionally confuse or mislead the person(s) you send them to. These forms of communication often lack the depth and context necessary to convey the intended meaning accurately. In contrast, using clear and concise language ensures that the recipient can fully grasp the intended message, fostering effective communication. By taking the time to write a message, you demonstrate respect and consideration for the other person’s time and understanding.
The example below illustrates how using rich and diverse language to describe a beautiful day can convey deeper context and emotion compared to the brief, visual style of emojis, GIFs, and abbreviations:
Rich and Diverse Language: “Today was absolutely wonderful! The sun was shining brightly, and there was a gentle breeze that made the day perfect for a long walk in the park. I could hear the rustling of leaves and the cheerful chirping of birds, while the fragrant aroma of blooming flowers filled the air. I felt so energised and at peace.”
Emojis, GIFs, and Abbreviations: “Today was amazing! ☀️🌳😊”
Spoken: Imagine a scenario where, instead of sending a message to catch up, you call the person or even meet them in person. Nothing can replace hearing their tone of voice, observing their body language, and gaining deeper insights into their emotions.
You can find various examples in everyday life of how words impact you:
Disempowering, limiting words and poor vocabulary might lead to negative emotional states like stress, anger, anxiety, sadness, anger, or fear. In this state, you are fully focused on the external environment, which drains your focus and energy, leaving little to none for yourself to heal and reenergise. Your body is able to cope with short-term stress, however, when it continues for a prolonged period, it drains your energy and focus. As a result, you become laser-focused on the worst possible outcomes. This has two major problems: you waste your precious energy on something that may never happen, and you miss out on noticing the positive things around you to enjoy, compliment, and appreciate in the present moment.
With awareness, patience, practice and taking responsibility, you will notice and appreciate what is good and give thanks when and where it is due. You can explore this area and gain great clarity with the Essential Package.
Keep these essential tips in focus to maximise your use of the techniques:
Whenever you catch yourself blaming, complaining, or getting mad, you can always shift your perspective by asking better questions.
When you ask yourself the right questions, you will gain valuable insights, uncover hidden truths, identify patterns and trends that limit and disempower you, gain clarity, make informed decisions, effectively solve problems and make amazing progress toward your goals and desires.
Become aware and catch those limiting disempowering questions you ask yourself and replace them with empowering ones that will greatly support you to move forward.
The more you practice, the more often you will ask empowering questions and make fantastic progress.
Below, you will find a list of both empowering and limiting questions. What kinds of questions do you consistently ask yourself?
| Limiting, disempowering questions lead to reasons, excuses, and emotional reactions | Empowering, supportive questions focus on what, when, who, and how |
| Why? | What can I learn from it? |
| Why does this always happen to me? | How can I turn this situation around? |
| Why are people always ignoring me? | How can I leverage this as an opportunity? |
| Why do I always get the short end of the stick? | If I knew how to fix it, resolve it, make it better, or improve it, what would I do? |
| Why can’t I catch a break? | What would I do if I could prevent this from happening again? |
| Why do I have to experience so much pain? | If there were a way to achieve the expected result of the given activity more effectively, quickly, or efficiently, what would it be? |
| Limiting | Empowering |
| Can’t – I can’t do this. | I do this because I am capable of it. |
| Hope – I hope I succeed. | Know – I know I succeed. |
| Should – implies trying and wishing | Must – indicates a strong determination to do something |
| Try – implies caution and the possibility of not doing something | Do – conveys certainty and commitment to do something |
| But – negates everything you said, thought, or wrote before the word ‘but’ | And – adds to and builds upon ideas, fostering more inclusive and constructive communication |
Be intentional about using positive words. For example, instead of saying, “He is bad-tempered,” say, “He is passionate in his opinions.” Another example is to amplify and embrace it. Instead of saying, “I am confident this will succeed”, say “Nothing can stop me from accomplishing my goal.”
When praising someone, focus on their strengths, abilities, accomplishments, and qualities. Give credit where credit is due.
The words you say to yourself in the form of self-talk affect your emotions, behaviour, actions and influence the way you see the world and yourself.
When you use positive language, you are more likely to approach situations with optimism and determination. They have the power to inspire, motivate, encourage action, uplift, and empower.
Conversely, negative language can demotivate, hinder progress and perpetuate negative thoughts, emotions, experiences, and beliefs, leading to a cycle of negativity. It is all about becoming aware and catching those disempowering thoughts and self-talks. You can ask yourself: “What if all goes well this time and everything works out just fine?”
Explore the Essential Package for step-by-step guidance on breaking negative cycles of thoughts and feelings.
Take a step back to become the observer of the situation. This way you will be able to neutralise the thoughts and words you may say.
For example, saying “I am so angry and mad” suggests that you are completely consumed by the emotion and may react in a way that’s driven by those negative emotions. On the other hand, using a milder expression like “I am a bit annoyed” or detaching yourself by saying “I feel anger” or “There is anger in my energy field,” helps you separate yourself from the emotion.
This approach allows you to take a step back, detach from the emotion, and respond with greater awareness and as needed.
With the Essential Package, you can gain a deep understanding and explore practical techniques in greater depth.
Reading books and articles is an excellent way to gain inspiration, new perspectives, and ideas for enriching vocabulary and using positive words. It also stimulates the brain, enhancing cognitive function and memorisation. Engaging with diverse materials sparks creativity by exploring various viewpoints and imaginative concepts. Additionally, reading can be a relaxing activity, offering an escape from daily stress and providing a moment of tranquility.
You will find that making reading a regular part of your daily routine is one of the best things you can do for yourself.
Consider taking on a 14-day challenge. Here are two examples to get you started:
Challenge 1)
Many people tend to exaggerate and concentrate on what is wrong or negative. For this challenge, your goal is to actively look for and focus on what is good. This involves reframing your perspective and redirecting your attention to positive aspects. Cultivate this skill by becoming aware of negative thought patterns, consistently shifting your focus, and practicing self-compassion and meditation.
When you catch yourself using negative words, neutralise them. To illustrate this concept, let’s consider a common phrase that is often used: “Seeing the glass half full or half empty.” This phrase suggests that you can view a situation as either positive or negative depending on your perspective. When you neutralise negative words, you are essentially choosing to see the glass as half full instead of half empty. Some of the benefits of this technique include increased resilience, unlocking a world of opportunities, reduced stress and anxiety, improved relationships, and increased productivity.
You can find below some examples:
| Negative | Neutralising |
| I hate that. | I don’t like that. I am not a fan of that. |
| I am so stressed. | I feel some stress. I am busy. |
| This sucks. | This situation is challenging. |
| I hate my job. | I have some reservations about my job. |
| I am angry. | I am bit annoyed. I feel anger. |
| I am a failure. | I am learning. I am developing myself. I am discovering another opportunity / way. |
| Afraid | Uncomfortable |
| Disappointed | Underwhelmed |
| Impatient | Anticipating |
| Insulted | Misunderstood |
| Nervous | Energised |
| Rejected | Overlooked Underappreciated |
| Terrible | Different |
| Criticisms | Insight Feedback |
| Unmotivated | Recharging |
When you catch yourself using positive words, amplify them. Other ways may include descriptive words, energetic language, metaphors, analogies, and being specific. Positive words have the power to uplift and inspire. You can make a positive impact on yourself and others.
You can find below some examples:
| Positive | Amplify |
| I barely finished. | I successfully completed the task / the project / the race / the challenge. |
| I barely finished on time. | I managed to meet the deadline. |
| All right | Superb |
| Confident | Unstoppable |
| Energised | Turbocharged |
| Motivated | Driven to |
| No problem | Happy to |
| Not bad | Couldn’t be better |
| Strong | Invincible |
| Good friend | A rock of support and a shoulder to lean on |
| You did a great job. | Thank you for doing such a great job. |
| You are creative. | You have an exceptional ability to generate innovative ideas. |
| You look nice. | You look stunning in that dress / shirt. |
| I tried my best. | I am proud of my effort. |
| Secure | Confident Centred |
Challenge 2)
Many people cope with stress and anxiety by using curse words to complain, blame, or express anger. For this challenge, become aware of these situations and make a conscious effort to stop using curse words.
This period of abstinence from cursing provides an opportunity to assess the impact of your words on yourself and others. Initially, you might find it challenging, as the urge to curse often arises during moments of frustration or anger. If you slip up and use a curse word, restart the 14-day challenge.
By completing this challenge, you will be encouraged to think more creatively and find alternative ways to express yourself. You will also enhance your vocabulary, develop a more positive communication style, and increase self-discipline and awareness of the impact of your words.
Becoming aware of your words and actively cultivating them can significantly enrich your life. You might initially think that focusing on language or changing your communication style seems impractical or even a bit funny. However, give it a try and see for yourself the positive effects it can have. By incorporating these techniques into your routine, you can enhance your language skills, communicate more effectively, and engage in more meaningful conversations. Remember, it takes time and practice, so be patient and persistent in your efforts.
Will you embrace the challenge for the next 14 days? How will you start using empowering words in your conversations today?
I would love to hear about your experiences with the techniques or versions you found most effective. If you have discovered any other useful tools not mentioned here, please share them. Your insights could be incorporated into future blog posts, helping to empower, inspire, and motivate others on their journey.
