The Power of Your Words – Did you know that in addition to the incredible power of your mind, there is tremendous power in your words?
Oftentimes, we are completely unaware of the words we use on a daily basis and how it impacts our beliefs, who and what we attract into our lives, and how we are blocking our own blessings.
I want to see you live your best life. So, here are some words and phrases to be conscious of going forward. Let’s break this habit!
Terms of Exaggeration:
Words like “always,” “constantly,” “all the time,” “never,” and “very” are just a few examples of words that subconsciously limit you. These words exaggerate a situation and make you believe that the situation is much bigger than it actually is. These words take your power away and keep you stuck. So, next time you’re tempted to use one of these words to describe a situation, ask yourself if you can clearly get your point across without using one of these terms. As a gentle reminder during your day, you can also write these words down on a post-it and on top of it write “watch these words!”
Expand Not Contract:
Has anyone ever said to you, “Don’t look down!” and then you immediately look down? This is due to the fact that contractions like “don’t,” “can’t,” and “won’t” stop you in your tracks and make you feel small. Next time, expand your language instead of contract it by flipping your vocabulary from the negative to the positive. For example, instead of “Don’t look down!” you might say, “Focus on what’s ahead.”
Labeling Your Emotions:
Have you ever caught yourself saying, “I am so mad!” when you’ve been super angry about something? I know I have! Next time replace “I am” with “I feel.” This will help to create a buffer between the emotion and your identity. By saying, “I feel so mad!” instead of “I am so mad!” it allows you to think more clearly and label the emotion as a feeling rather than letting the emotion define you.
Raincloud Syndrome:
This is a term I came up with for people who complain on the reg. You know these people (or you may be one of them yourself) — the people that focus on the single raincloud on a sunny day. They invite more problems into their life by walking around with an umbrella over their head just in case it may rain. If you know someone who does this, or if you do this yourself, the good news is that it’s a habit that can be broken with practice.
First, keep track of how many times a day you complain. Be honest! Write it down. It may surprise you to visually see how often you actually complain. Then, when a negative thought comes to mind, and you feel the need to use your voice to vent, find one thing in that moment that you are grateful for and say it out loud. Another exercise is to see if there is a pattern to when you complain. If this is occurring at certain points during the day, then do your best to figure out if something in particular is triggering the complaint. If you can do something about the trigger, great! If not, then I want you to write down 3 things you’re grateful for before you enter the situation. And bring your thoughts back to these things when you are triggered.
I’m Sorry:
There’s a time and a place for this tiny yet mighty phrase and figuring out when to say it is key. The best kind of apology comes from the heart and from a place of accountability. And, make sure to follow it up with action to show that you really care about the relationship. Skip the “I’m sorry” when saying it from a place of insecurity, being polite or accommodating, fear of conflict, or people pleasing. Over-apologizing can end up hurting your confidence more than you know because you are undermining yourself.
I love you:
Oftentimes we forget to share these three important words with those who we really love and who love us. The phrase “I love you” carries so much weight. It tells someone that you appreciate, care, and honor your relationship with them. Today, I dare you to say “I love you” to someone meaningful in your life. You will be amazed at how much power and connection this phrase holds.
Last but not least…
As my mom used to say to me, “Dana-Maxx, your teeth are in your mouth to hold back your tongue.” Meaning, try to refrain from speaking unkind words to yourself and to others. By learning to intentionally mind your words, you are able to have so much more control of what you absorb, what you allow into your little world, and what you attract. You will go from “worrier” to “warrior” in no time.
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Big hugs, Dana-Maxx Pomerantz
Happiness Coach and Founder of The Be Happy Project
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