Ice Chip #27

Great example of “Better Word Choice”… 

Thank you to those of you who responded to the last Ice Chip with comments and examples of “(k)notty word” signs.  Remember the picture about the Avalanche Area for the next 1.5 miles; and the statement:  “Do Not Stop”?  Kellie from Palmer, Alaska shared that there is a School Bus stop within 500 feet of the sign!  

Shelli from the Dallas-Fort Worth area recently travelled to South Africa for their BNI National Conference.  I know she had an extraordinary trip.  Check out the picture she sent.  Notice how the sign is very specific in its message, and how the resulting behavior is congruent with the intention of the message.  This is a great example of Better Word Choice in Action.

Articulation example

Actually, it is a great example of Empowering Word Choice in Action. (I liked the example so much, it is the wallpaper on my computer!) 

Next week there will be an exciting announcement regarding Remember the Ice.  Stay tuned. 

Have a phenomenal week.

Best regards from Alaska,

Bob

August 25, 2009 | Filed Under Ice Chips, RTI | 2 Comments 

Ice Chip #26

Watch for “(K)notty Word” signs!

As you raise your awareness of hearing and observing “(k)notty words” in a wide range of circumstances, take a moment to grab your camera and see if you can capture some more examples of disempowering word choice.  Of course the best way to utilize the concepts of Remember the Ice is to reframe the “(k)notty word” phrase.

So here is what I am asking you to do.  send me a photograph of a “(k)notty word” phrase, AND take a moment to reframe the message.  You will be amazed at the numerous places you will find these examples.  From road signs, to grocery stores; from the beach to restaurants, from sidewalks to church marquees; from greeting cards to trophy shops; and on and on…..!

Here are some examples that have been compiled:

"(K)notty Words"

Signs that contain any of the "(k)notty words". The main ones: "Not, Don't, Can't, Won't, Wouldn't, Couldn't, Shouldn't". Any form of "not", as well as "try", or "but."

16 Photos

Thank you to Asa Davis, Michigan; Mark Taylor, Texas; Jakolien Sok, The Netherlands; Sheri Greenwell, New Zealand; Marylene Uyboco, Philippines; Tunku Maziah, Malaysia; and Pamela Kenally from Anchorage, Alaska.  The “(k)notty words” are a global phenomenon. 

If you see a sign, take a picture and email me:  bob.nicoll@remembertheice.com

There is power in the clarity of your articulation.

Work your articulation magic on these examples and see how you can reframe them.  In the meantime, have a phenomenal week, and remember:  Use your empowering word choice.

Best Regards from Alaska,

Bob


August 18, 2009 | Filed Under Ice Chips, RTI | Leave a Comment 

Ice Chip #25

Congratulations Ice Chippers!

Several of you took a moment to check your “Remember the Ice” pulse and saw how you have been doing with this uniue concept.  On last week’s exercise of 30 “(k)notty word” statements, nine of you were quick to respond with some very creative empowering alternatives.

So here are the winners of a complimentary copy of Remember the Ice and Other Paradigm Shifts.  Some chose the audio version to keep tuned in while driving, walking, or just chilling out at the office or at home.  Thank you for your diligent efforts!

Ann from New South Wales, Australia — Jerry from San Diego, California — Darlene from League City, Texas — Martin from Manchester, England — Kristin from Biloxi, Mississippi — Patricia from Mexico, Mexico — Isabel from Sugarland, Texas — Laurel from Anchorage, Alaska — and Karen from Fremont, California.

Here are some of their empowering alternatives.

I don’t just want to ask my kids to help.  I would appreciate my children’s input.

It’s not normal to act this way.  Have you considered an alternative behavior?

Can’t you do better than that?  I have seen you do better.

Don’t run red.  Wait for the green light.

I don’t believe what I just saw.  What I just saw was amazing.  or  Can you believe what we just saw?

They’re not going to say anything I haven’t heard before.  They’re going to share something new.

He didn’t want him to play three days in a row.  He wanted him to rest between games.

It wasn’t an issue.  It was my pleasure to offer assistance.

She doesn’t know what she is talking about.  She may be missing osome of the facts.

I’m not supposed to be talking with you.  I need to work by myself for the time being.  Let’s talk later.

If I didn’t know any better.  I do know better.

They just don’t understand the importance of the meeting.  Hopefully they will understand the importance of the meeting.

Don’t you think it will work?  Do you think it will work?

It doesn’t get any better than this.  It just keeps getting better and better.

I don’t feel that way.  Let me share how I’m feeling.  or  My feelings are different than that.

Don’t smoke.  No smoking allowed.  or  This is a smoke free zone.

You aren’t much help here.  How do you think we can get this done?

Wouldn’t you like to see that again?  Would you like to see that again?

I shouldn’t have done that.  I’ll do that differently next time.

I won’t be able to make it.  I have another appointment, can we re-schedule?

Don’t miss out on this special event.  Make sure to get to this special event.

Aren’t you going to go to the fair?  Are you going to the fair?

I am not going to do that ever again.  That’s the last time I will do that!

Don’t you think I know what’s best for you?  I want the bet for you.  Let’s talk about it.

You don’t need to worry about that.  This has been taken care of.

Do not get our of the vehicle.  Please stay in the car.

Don’t staple yur paayment to the bill.  Please keep your payment separate from the bill.

There won’t be any abuses with this program.  Our program will be positive and well disciplined.

It’s  March Madness.  Don”t miss a minute.  It’s March Madness, catch every game on ESPN.

Friends don’t let friends drive drunk.  Take care of your friends if they have had too much to drink.

Well done!!!  Enjoy your copy of the book.

        There is Power in the Clarity of your Articulation. ™

Would you like a chance at this exercise?  We will do it again.  Watch for your chance to work your articulation magic in the coming weeks.  In the meantime, have a phenomenal week, and remember:  Use your empowering word choice.

Best regards from Alaska,

Bob

August 11, 2009 | Filed Under Ice Chips, RTI | Leave a Comment 

Ice Chip #24

Time to flex your Empowering Word Choice muscles. 

Okay, how about taking a moment to check your “Remember the Ice” pulse and see how you have been doing with this unique concept.  You probably have accessed www.remembertheice.com and received your complimentary copy of the workbook.  I hope you have done the exercises on the last few pages; (that will come in very handy with this Ice Chip.)   

You may have read your copy of Remember the Ice and Other Paradigm Shifts or even purchased a copy of the audio book read by yours truly.  Thank you for your purchase.  Did you do the exercises in the appendix?  That is the key to this week’s Chip. 

I am going to share 30 of the (k)notty word phrases from the book, and ask that you reframe them.  Remember to take a moment to see the confusion in the statement first when you remove the “(k)not”.  (Don’t forget the ice turns into—forget the ice.)  Re-write them from a Remember the Ice perspective.  Here are a couple of examples, besides the story of changing “don’t forget the ice” to “remember the ice”:

I don’t think I can do this anymore.  Confusion:  I think I can do this anymore. 

In this one, the “confusion” is almost the empowering reframed sentence.

How about this for an empowering alternative? 

I believe I can do this, and I appreciate your help.

We don’t care if your car is not paid for.  Confusion:  We do care if your car is paid for. 

I think this car dealer wants to say something along these lines. 

Even if you still owe on your current vehicle, come on in and let’s talk about a new one. 

Have fun with the following ones.  Here is the incentive.  Practice makes permanent.  Repetition is the mother of skill.  The more you work on these, the easier the new habit becomes.  You will go through your Cognitive-Emotive Dissonance and find yourself enjoy the process.  There are 30 examples.  The first 5 people who respond with reframed sentences will receive their choice of a signed copy of Remember the Ice and Other Paradigm Shifts (soft cover) or a signed copy of the Audio Book read by me.  Just send your responses in a Word Document to my email:  bob.nicoll@remembertheice.com and remember to have fun. 

Here you go: 

I don’t just want to ask my kids to help. 

It’s not normal to act this way. 

Can’t you do better than that? 

Don’t run red. 

I don’t believe what I just saw. 

They’re not going to say anything I haven’t heard before.

He didn’t want him to play three days in a row.

It wasn’t an issue. 

She doesn’t know what she is talking about. 

I’m not supposed to be talking with you. 

If I didn’t know any better. 

They just don’t understand the importance of the meeting. 

Don’t you think it will work? 

It doesn’t get any better than this. 

I don’t feel that way. 

Don’t smoke. 

You aren’t much help here. 

Wouldn’t you like to see that again? 

I shouldn’t have done that. 

I won’t be able to make it. 

Don’t miss out on this special event. 

Aren’t you going to go to the fair? 

I am not going to do that ever again. 

Don’t you think I know what’s best for you? 

You don’t need to worry about that. 

Do not get out of the vehicle. 

Don’t staple your payment to the bill. 

There won’t be any abuses with this program. 

It’s March Madness.  Don’t miss a minute. 

Friends don’t let friends drive drunk. 

I know you will need to spend some time working on this, and that is a powerful step to really understanding: 

     There is Power in the Clarity of your Articulation. ™ 

When you accomplish this task, give yourself a pat on the back and a high five.  If you are one of the winners, and local here in the Anchorage area, I will be happy to deliver your prize in person.  For those out of town, I will pick up the postage. 

Have a phenomenal week, and use your empowering word choice. 

Best regards from Alaska,

Bob


August 4, 2009 | Filed Under Ice Chips, RTI | Leave a Comment 

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