The Power of language
What if every word we uttered came true instantly?
What if you were required to follow through on everything you said?
How would your language change?
Would you even be able to talk at all?
Speaking, writing and reading are integral to our everyday life.
Becoming aware of the words and phrases we unconsciously choose and combine can help us better understand ourselves and why we behave the way we do. And ultimately it can enable change through choice.
Language plays a big role in how we perceive the world, our beliefs and consequently the choices and decisions we make. Language therefore has immense power, and its impact depends entirely on how we use it, both in our self-talk and how we speak to others.
“It is the fuel we use to empower our desires, and to direct and align our energy” – Cath Thompson (2005)
Because the words we use are often automatic and unconscious, we have learned to treat them lightly. In our daily conversation, we speak the majority of our words from habit, convenience and social obligation rather than from clear intent.
To master language is to create the opportunity for both alignment and growth.
The power of ‘I’
I is a super-charged word because it is empowering, however when combined with words such as can’t or want, it can distance us from our desired outcome.
Substituting I want with I have, I need or I feel, creates opportunity and supplementing I can’t with the word yet creates the promise of something exciting to come in the future.
Whenever you say the words “I am,” the words that follow are a declaration and are experienced by your subconscious self as a direct order. Statements like “I am anxious” “I am overwhelmed” or “I am fat” only tend to reinforce those states. Instead, directly express how you feel about your current reality (sad, scared, hopeless), and then declare what you choose be and do instead.
Remember, speaking is a self-fulfilling prophecy. Where your words lead, your mind and body follow, so speak and think only that which you choose to have come into your reality – now and always
Vagueness
When you utter phrases such as I will try, this lacks conviction and often in reality means I won’t try, or I don’t want to try.
When you find yourself saying such phrases, stop and consider with honesty what you really mean. How can you rephrase your words to be more clear and direct. If you are afraid of offending someone or appearing hard or challenging, you may be unconsciously diffusing your words to be more acceptable to others. Take some time to consider whether your need to be accepted is overriding your ability to own your ideas and assert yourself.
Make these 7 switches and embrace a new way of thinking
I can’t for I think I can: This switch creates possibility and turns on the creative energy; it reverses the helpless/hopeless response
They make me for I allow: I allow takes personal responsibility and eliminates the blaming others and one’s self (guilt)
I should for I could: This invites the opportunity for new creative solutions instead of dependency on others prescriptions
Either for both: This switch curtails divisiveness
What works for me, my family, and my tribe, for here and now, for; what works for me AND you, for my tribe AND your tribe, for now AND later. This promotes the Golden Rule: energy is directed to cooperate for creative solutions; no one is being blamed
Anger, fear, anxiety for energy: This Inspires mental puzzle solving instead of the physical fight or flight instinct
Emergency for urgency: This switch prevents instinctive and possibly harmful actions and confrontations
