Eliminate Weasel Words from Your Life

The Power of Positive Intention - 3 Tweaks you can make to your language this week

It has been said it is the little things that help propel us to success. Throughout my life, I have had people pour into my life the benefits of positive language. Some may say this is a continuation of the glass half-full or glass half-empty discussion. Our speech patterns unconsciously reveal who we are and our current state of mind. Here are two words and one phrase you can use to change your speech towards positive action immediately. Once you implement these, your radar will pick up those around you and you will never look at conversation the same.

1. "And - No Buts" - It has been said using the word “but” negates everything shared up to the point the word was inserted into a sentence or during a conversation. Using the word “and” increases the probability you can transition towards a solution and steer the conversation or communication with a positive outcome as the goal. By the way, “however” is just a fancy way of saying “but”. 

2. "Intend - no Tries" - Try has been a “weasel” word for years. To try means you enter the task at hand with an inclination towards failure. When you “intend” to accomplish something, it turns the switch and allows your brain to consider the possibility of success. Intend to remove the word try from your daily conversation and communications.

3. "Remember to" instead of "Don’t forget" - As with the word “but”, to tell someone “don’t forget” is programming their brain to do exactly that, forget. Our brains are programmed to ignore the word “don’t” and go immediately to the action word following. When we tell someone to “remember to” do something, be on time, get the milk, etc., we are setting them up to be successful in accomplishing that task. 

I challenge each of you to become aware of these three tweaks you can make this week. I would love to hear your observations and success stories about how you turned around a situation when making these tweaks. Make this week your most productive and profitable ever. No If's, And's, or But's allowed!

Warm regards,

Dan Goodwin