Ice Chip #2
This week’s tip focuses on the “(k)notty” words.
In Remember the Ice, we focus on eradicating disempowering words because we know that they create confusion in our communication.
In the summer of 1991, when I went into that convenience store in Phoenix, and reframed the sign from: DON’T FORGET THE ICE to REMEMBER THE ICE, I immediately knew the impact of my suggestion. For the manager Rick, I knew his ice sales would rise considerably.
As for me, I knew that reframing and eradicating the “(k)notty” words would have a significant impact on my communication and articulation skills.
Here are the words I removed from my vocabulary.
Not, don’t , can’t, won’t, wouldn’t, couldn’t, shouldn’t
What was my simple reason for doing this?
I wanted to create and attract better results in my communication; especially my self talk. I am constantly in that process of analyzing situations and ideas; engaging in self talk, and I wanted better results. Would you like that as well?
I thought you would.
Pay attention to your use of the words, and come up with empowering alternatives.
Watch this. If you remove the “knot”--- get rid of the “n’t”…..look at what is left…
Do, Can, Will, Would, Could ….. and…. (for the time being, we will set aside the word “Should” because it has it’s own idiosyncratic message…. A topic for another Ice Chip)
These empowering alternatives help us attract, create, inspire, and accomplish some pretty incredible things. Can just a word make that much difference?
Indeed it can. Enjoy and celebrate the shift!!
Until next week….
Best regards,
Bob
Ice Chip #1
Remember the Ice tip of the week…..
Thank you for signing up to receive my weekly newsletter with the tip of the week. They will arrive in your in-box on Tuesday mornings and will be called
Ice Chips, in keeping with the ice motif….
Hope you enjoy them. Of course your feedback is most welcome…..
Ice Chip #1
“There is power in the clarity of your articulation.”
Those of you who have picked up a copy of Remember the Ice and Other Paradigm Shifts recognize that statement as the first line of Chapter One.
Repetition is the mother of skill, and to effectively internalize and use the concepts taught in my book, seminars and coaching; you need to remind yourself of some basic fundamentals, over and over again.
Take a moment to stop and really think about the power you have in the clarity of what you say. Your sense of personal power, confidence, and self-esteem are wrapped up in how well you are able to communicate your thoughts, needs, ideas, and desires. When you articulate clearly and successfully, everything else falls into place.
Poor word choice is a serious obstacle to clear communication and diminishes your personal power. Imagine how much more power and confidence you would have in your life if you would consistently get you message across clearly. How empowering do you think it would be to know that your words influence and inspire, rather than confuse and annoy? I believe few people actually set out to confuse and annoy others. I believe most of us want to be clear and make sense. I believe most people just need to know how to do it.
The good news is that you already have everything you need. It’s just a matter of understanding the how and why of organizing and using your words, and putting it all into practice.
Remember, “There is power in the clarity of your articulation.”
See you next week,
Bob