It's all in the words
It's now been proven by science and psychology that the shortest path to success in your career, relationships, and life in general is tied to your command of the most practical words. But how do you know where to look to find "success words" that pay these great dividends?

You can win success and popularity by developing a treasury of vital, practical words, arranged for every important type of conversation and activity.

In English, we assume that the average educated American knows common words. Now you want a superior vocabulary. But you don't want to waste your time learning words that are not vital to your success. So you first need to master "success words" before you learn lesser-used words."

The famous psychologist, Dr. George Crane, said, "Appreciative words are the most powerful force for good will on earth." Psychologists know that sincere compliments—appreciation, which is a form of love—mean as much to people as food, work, and the other essentials of normal, happy living. So here is one of your most important opportunities for gaining the good will that is necessary for a successful career, marriage, and for friendships, as well as the satisfaction that comes from being helpful.

If it is left to chance, most of us never master this basic vocabulary for successful living. When you take possession of a rich vocabulary, with the power and insight that it gives, you will emerge a more able, more understanding, more important person. The successful people in your field, the leaders in your community and in the world, almost always have vocabularies that are more powerful and more exact than yours.

Notice the words that they use for complimenting, influencing, discussing, enthusing, or understanding. Science has discovered that a top-notch vocabulary is the one ability that successful people share. Important words have helped these people to success. The absence of vital words can keep success from you.

Until you speak, people don't form a definite opinion of you. They are waiting for you to say something. But when you speak, people instantly recognize and rate you in the files of their minds. They begin to decide whether to like you or dislike you, whether to help you or ignore you. And the total of all the words that you speak, and all the impressions that you make, decides in large measure how successful your life will be.

Is your vocabulary commonplace and hence dull and unconvincing? Do you depend on words that are threadbare, like an old garment that should have been thrown out years ago? You most likely would lose respect for people dressed in dirty clothes. Then how can you expect to get ahead with a moth-eaten vocabulary?

Start developing a list of complimentary (success) words to draw from? For the success of your compliments is limited by your vocabulary. If the only verbal bouquets that you can give are "nice" and "terrific," you are not doing an effective job of building good will for yourself, or satisfaction for others.


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Author's Bio: 

This definition is part of a series that covers the topic of Positive Psychology. The Official Guide to Positive Psychology is Barbara Becker Holstein. Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein is the originator of The Enchanted Self(R). She has been a positive psychologist in private practice and licensed in the states of New Jersey and Massachusetts since 1981. She is currently in private practice in Long Branch, New Jersey with her husband, Dr. Russell M. Holstein. www.enchantedself.com

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Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein, the Official Guide To Positive Psychology