Do you ever hear yourself say any of the following (or something similar):
- My job search is so hard
- I will never get new clients/business
- My life is such a struggle
- I hate my job
Which words have the most emotional impact on you as you read those statements? What happens to your behavior when you hear these words?
What if I were to just change a few words in each statement:
- My job search is easy
- I often get new clients/business
- My life can be amazing
- My job is a great fit
What is the emotional impact when you read these statements? Now you might be thinking – but some of these are just not true!
If that is the case in your world, here is another alternative to these statements:
- My job search is tiring
- I sometimes get new clients/business
- My life can be challenging
- My job is not a great fit
What is the emotional impact now? What may be different in your behavior?
What if I were to keep going, using these last statements and changing several words:
- I am adding new strategies to my job search to make it more interesting
- I am doing more of what already works to attract clients/business
- Many areas of my life are full and rewarding
- I am creating a new role here based on what is a good fit
Now how do you feel? Notice how the focus changed with the addition of these new words? What might be different with your behavior as you read these statements?
The words you use, whether out loud as you discuss your life with others, or inside as you mull things over in your mind can have a profound impact on your mood and behavior. When you use words that are empowering, energizing, inspiring – it often lifts your mood, and elevates you to action. When you use words that are limiting, deflating or doubtful – it often plummets your mood and decreases your action.
An Exercise for you…
- Notice your own words and how you feel after using them. If you are not sure (not noticing), ask a trusted friend/family member to notice and tell you what word(s) they hear you say often, then ask you how you just felt when you said them.
- Notice if there are 1-3 words that you often use to describe things that cause negative emotions, and decide what you would like to replace them with.
- Tip: Think about how you behave when you use these limiting words, and how you would like to behave. Which words help you to behave that way?
- Practice the new word(s) and notice the impact they have on your life.