Your behavior is strongly influenced by the things you say, think and feel. Your words, thoughts and feelings affect each other, and also affect your actions.
If you're like most people, the easiest way to control is knowing what to say. By changing the way you express things, you can actually improve your performance and effectiveness.
Studies have found that optimistic people perform at a higher level than pessimists. Optimists look at a situation and see benefits, opportunities and learning experiences. Pessimists look at the same situation and see only the risks.
The fact is that in everyday life, most people talk in negative terms. It's so common that few people even realize they're doing it.
"How's it going?" someone asks. "Not bad," is the reply.
"What are you doing?". "Not much."
For a change, try this:
"How's it going?". "Great!".
"What are you doing?". "I'm enjoying life."
Notice how much better that feels. It seems silly and insignificant, yet make it a habit and it will quickly change your outlook.
Look at how we commonly persuade:
"Why don't we go to the ball game tonight?".
Stated in a negative manner, this literally makes you start thinking of reasons why NOT to go to the ball game!
Listen to how much better this sounds:
"Let's go to the ball game tonight."
A few other examples:
"If you decide to do business with us, your order won't be delayed."
"When you decide to do business with us, we'll ship immediately."
In this case, "If" presumes that they might NOT do business.
"When" presumes that they will.
"I understand what you're saying, but we won't let you down."
"I understand what you're saying, and we can handle that."
Look at the enormous difference in confidence and credibility, just by changing a few words.
Language is powerful. Practice making it a positive force in your life.
-Ralph Marston
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment