|
The
Power of Words
Laura Cardone
First Published
May 2005
_________________________________________________
Do
you believe that you create your own reality or have direct
influence over your results? If so, then learning the keys to effective communication can do
more to positively impact your personal and professional life than
any other single skill. This article is the fifth installment in a
five part series about the Five Key to Effective Communication.
Word count for
this article:
775
Approximate time to read: About
3 1/2 minutes
Welcome to Part IV of the Five Communication Keys - The Power of
Words. In previous issues we discussed the first three Keys,
Listening, and Effective Verbal and Nonverbal communication.
The Power of Words
Using purposeful, well chosen words will help you create more
powerful experiences. Many people think of communication as simply
verbal, written, listening and speaking techniques. These are certainly
important skills to master. But as you master word usage and understand
its power, you learn how to persuade, envision, diffuse, enlighten, and
stimulate new ideas while building up your confidence and the confidence
of those around you.
You actually create and shape your experiences with the words you
choose! Your happiness, personal and professional effectiveness and
your success in life is a direct result of your thoughts, emotions and
the WORDS you choose. Your words create the actions that take you closer
or further away from your goals. They drive your results because words
paint the mental pictures you send to yourself and others to create your
life experience. Words have the power to build you up or tear you down.
This is an important point because we are literally bombarded with words
every day. Some are processed consciously and others subconsciously.
The words we see and hear influence us. We are bombarded with
billboards, television programs, the nightly news, product labels and as
we listen to the radio or background noise. All of these words, whether
externally or internally generated, have lasting impact. Words can
effect your health. A study by the National Institute on Aging measured
the impact of words on stereotypes. They found that even "good natured"
jokes about failing memory or health had adverse physiological and
psychological effects. Seemingly harmless comments caused a rise in
blood pressure and nervous reactions that could be detected on the
surface of the skin. But when uplifting words such as insightful or wise
were used around seniors, they felt valued and guess what? Their blood
pressure dropped and their health actually improved. You are no
different - your internal and external dialogue will also impact you.
The words you choose have the potential to impact all those you
connect with each day. Words can persuade you to buy things. Think
of all of the Thigh Masters, Ab Rollers, and Bun and Thigh Rockers that
are collecting dust in closets around the world. Yes, I admit to buying
one of these contraptions many years ago, only to later wonder "What was
I thinking?" I am comforted only because I know that I have plenty of
company in the buyer's remorse club. The reality - companies spend
billions of dollars every year on marketing research because they
understand the impact of a few well chosen words. They know all to well
what words to use to get you to buy their products or services.
Words help you persuade and influence opinions. Think of the
outcomes created by the words of Adolph Hitler, Martin Luther King Jr.
or JFK. There may be no single factor more important to the quality of
your personal and professional life, to your success and to your overall
effectiveness as a leader, than thoughtful communication. Learning how
to organize your thoughts and how to consciously choose the words that
help you purposefully communicate has tremendous impact in your daily
life.
If you weave these 4 principles into your everyday communication,
you can experience an amazing transformation in the quality of your
personal and professional life.
1. Words are choices. They can lift you up or tear you down. Pause,
consider the impact, and choose wisely.
2. Joyful uplifting words have tremendous impact - physiologically
and psychologically. A word of recognition or gratitude can generate
powerful results on your spiritual and financial bottom line.
3. Words generate feelings, emotions and actions. Consider the
difference between criticize (negative), praise (positive), and comment
(neutral). Misplaced, emotionally packed words can create roadblocks
that derail effective communication and take you off course.
4. Sometimes silence is golden. No one has said it better than
Abraham Lincoln - "It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool
than to speak and remove all doubt."
Do you have the skills you need to change your personal and
professional world? If you would like to learn more about what you can
do to improve your personal and professional bottom line, check out the
resources and tools here for more information.
|
