The Power of Words
Do you feel how your energy rises when someone uses positive language? And how does it sound to you when you speak certain powerful words? Here you can see what you can do to make a difference with your words. Read about 5 tips to give your words more power. See what you can do to make a difference with your words.
Words move you, consciously or unconsciously. By being aware of the words you choose, you make a difference: for yourself and for your environment. This means that the quality of your words directly influences the quality of your life and that of others!
1. Formulate Positively
The strange thing is that our unconscious brain doesn’t recognize negatives. So, if you say ‘I won’t get sick’, you are actually ‘programming’ your brain to get sick. This sounds intense, but be aware that the effect can be significant. Turn it around and say ‘I stay/am healthy‘. If you hear others say something negative, you can ask, ‘…and what do you want?’.
2. Put Action in Your Words
How often do you say to yourself ‘I’ll try’? If you say to yourself or to others ‘I’ll do it!‘, then the action comes in. ‘Trying’ lacks action. Pay attention to what you hear others say.
3. Use Big Words
I call big words the opposite of diminutive words. Using diminutive words weakens the meaning of your words. Many women, for instance, often talk about ‘my little business’. Be aware of how you make yourself smaller by using such words.
4. Yes, and…
How often do you hear others say: ‘yes, but…’? You probably know that ‘yes but’ is equivalent to ‘no’. It is often followed by a statement. Adding ‘and’ keeps the conversation more open and there is more understanding for each other. “Yes, and…“.
5. Possibility and Freedom
Did you know that many people have an ‘allergy to must’? I suffer from this myself. When someone tells me what I must do, it immediately makes me think ‘I don’t have to do anything’. Are you aware of whether and how you use ‘must’? Towards yourself and others? See where you can replace it with, for example, want to, can, or could.
You can apply the above to make even more of a difference with your communication. As a leader, you can help your employees grow with this. And what does this mean for you in your personal life, towards your children?
A slogan from the KNVB ‘Without respect, no football’ I would rather replace with ‘Only football with respect!’. Do you see the difference? What is your experience with powerful word usage? Let me know!
Do you want to read more about communication and influence? About leading your team? Or about growing your business? Read the book “Mijn Beste Team Ooit! In 7 stappen naar Golden leadership“. Or read my second book on how to achieve better business results and avoid pitfalls.
