Words.
Our words are so incredibly important and we need to be aware of them. The words we say serve to program us and those around us. Programming is what actually runs us. Our subconscious mind runs on a program based on whatever we tell ourselves. I’ve said time and again that words are the most powerful thing in the universe. Our words are a reflection of our thoughts. The words we speak illuminate how we think. The words we speak influence our attitudes. Our attitudes influence our behaviors. Behaviors are habits and habits form our lives.
We’re nothing more than the result of our habits. Therefore, ‘success’ isn’t an event, it’s a way of being. It’s doing the daily things consistently so that you end up where you want to go.
Let’s take a look at some words we want to delete from our vocabulary. The words below don’t serve us. They don’t empower us. A lot of these words take our power away. A growth mindset is one of 100% responsibility. There is no room for victimhood or external locus of control in the growth mindset. That may sound overwhelming at first glance and I assure you that 100% responsibility is actually empowering. Taking responsibility for everything in our lives acknowledges our role and assigns us the power to shape our reality.
Stop saying these words now.
Try – The word try is the epitome of non-commitment. Trying is half-ass. Trying is weak. Trying is telling the universe “I don’t know if I’m able to do it so I’ll just give it a shot and see what happends.” Don’t try it. Do it, or don’t do it. It’s like Yoda said to Luke Skywalker in ‘The Empoire Strikes Back’: “Try not. Do or do not. There is no try.”
But – Have you ever recapitulated what someone said, their rationale, their supporting points and then transitioned with ‘but’ to make your point? If so, then you negated everything they said. Say ‘and’ instead of ‘but’. Doing this will allow you to make your point without making everything the other party said irrelevent.
Hope – Hope is such a weak word. Hope is giving up your personal power to affect change. It is akin to setting something in motion and walking from it. You need to see it through.
Maybe – Maybe is similiar to hope. “Maybe it will work out”. Saying maybe and having hope are both surrendering ones personal power.
Problem – Problems are not problems. Problems are a meaning we give to an event. In other words, problems are just in our heads. A better word to use is a challege. Who doesn’t hear the words challenge and immediately think about overcoming that challenge. I swear, those two words go together: challenge and overcome. Challenges are viewed as temporary obstacles to be handled.
Hate – Before I devoted myself to disciplined practice to improve and before I knew any of the words on this list, I decided to cut out the word hate. I realized I was saying “I hate” this or that several times each day and all that I was focusing on was the negative stuff! To have a growth mindset you must focus on the empowering, on what you want, on that which will bring you closer to your goals. Cut out I hate. Quit focusing on that which you don’t want and focus and speak about what you do want!
Start today by being aware of what you are saying. Be aware that the words that you use will have a tremendous affect on your life and the lives of others. Listen to what other people say to you and listen to what you say to other people. Listen for these words and ask yourself how you feel when tye are said to you.
Make the decision to eliminate words that don’t serve you. Continue cultivating a growth mindset.