Watch Your Language

Watch Your Language

If that sounds like your mother, she was correct. Words you use are indicative of your state of mind and truly create your reality. Even when joking, you betray your inner feelings with word choices.

What does this have to do with business or your career? Plenty.

How many times have you said to yourself or a customer that you’ll “try,” or you “hope?” No confidence there. Tentative language is for tentative people. If you are unsure about your product or service, don’t expect customers to be lining up around the block.

Be honest when you’re unsure. But how often do you use tentative language unnecessarily? In researching resilience, the ability to bounce back from any setback or change, I’ve found language one of the strong indicators.

Most language choices are a carryover from what we heard growing up. They become thoughtless habit. But, words have power. Your thoughtless habit could be sabotaging your success. It becomes a subconscious self-fulfilling prophecy.

How often have you heard, “I’m sick of doing this,” or “ I’m tired of trying.”? People who are always “trying” usually aren’t succeeding. They wear themselves out but never quite make it.

An out-of-work executive with an impressive resume sought my guidance. During a long narrative, describing his interviews, I heard the key word. He said, “they seem to like me but no one will give me a job.” His problem was obvious. It was attitude. Because of his credentials and experience, he expected to be given a job. I pointed out that he must demonstrate the value he can bring to the organization and earn the job. Once he faced his attitude and understood how his words were expressing his thinking he was hired within a few weeks.

Word choice is just that, choice. Listen to your language. What does it say about you? Does it reflect who you think you are or want to be? Changing your language can literally change your life. It won’t happen suddenly. Pay attention. Watch your language. Make different word choices and you’ll move your life in a new direction.