Ice Chip #87
Watch what happens.
In your every day conversations, which one of the “(K)notty Words” do you think is the most popular?
Well, according to the poll on www.remembertheice.com, 3279 of you have voted the three most used are:
- Don’t
- Can’t
- Should
Watch what happens when you remove a “not” or “n’t”.
Let’s say you are offering a special product or service to your clients. It is a limited time offer and you want them to take advantage of it. After a scintillating description of the offer; you finish it off with a simple 3 word message on your brochure, television ad, or flier.
Don’t miss out!!
Watch the metamorphosis of the phrase, as the "n’t" is eliminated:
Don’t miss out!!
Don’t miss out!!
Don’t miss out!!
Don’t miss out!!
And you are left with….. Clients and prospects missing out on your special offer!
In advertising, marketing and sales; you can innocently drive your clients away. Pay attention to your word choice. It makes a major difference.
Want to know more? Contact me: bob.nicoll@remembertheice.com
Have a phenomenal week!
Ice Chip #86
Special Announcement!!
Remember the Ice is on iTunes!!
Audio Book on iTunes
Remember the Ice and Other Paradigm Shifts is now available as an Audio Book (album) on iTunes. You can click and you will be directed to the page where you can check it out. Click on any of the View in iTunes links on the page and you will be at the iTunes store where you can get your copy for just $9.99!!
We are so excited to have the Audio Book on iTunes and the Ice Chips app on the iPhone. Thank you to all of you who have supported Remember the Ice. Enjoy the many forms you can embrace the concept.
Get your copy and take the Paradigm Shifting concepts of empowering word choice with you on your iTunes compatible device. Enjoy
Have an empowering word choice week.
Ice Chip #85
Are we sending confusing messages?
Are we in fact contradicting our initial requests?
As I continue my quest to eradicate the “(K)notty Words” I have noticed a phenomenon that occurs quite often. It is a form of an oxymoron.
Here is some text from Wikipedia about the subject of Oxymorons.
Oxymorons are sometimes inadvertently created by errors or sloppiness in conversation; common examples include extremely average, objective opinion, original copy, and definite possibility. In some cases an inadvertent oxymoron ends up being widely adopted as the name for some concept and ceases to be recognized as an oxymoron. Cases where this has occurred include bittersweet, virtual reality, constant variable, and living dead.
When it comes to using the (k)notty words in a statement that follows a positive request or opportunity, there is a bit of cerebral chaos created.
Take a look at the following pictures:
Best Western Hotels recently sent me an email touting some great deals to look into. Base on the message shown, I could take advantage of some savings while traveling and staying at a Best Western property. It has my interest.
Best Western email image - partial
However:
Here is the entire picture, with the confusing message.
Best Western email - full message
Now.
How inclined might I be to look at their stellar deals…..
And how long might it take me to do so?
(K)notty Words truly muddle the message. Think of how many times they are used after stating a fact:
Alaska is more than twice the size of Texas. Isn’t that amazing?
Offering an opinion:
Their prime rib is delicious. Don’t you think?
Making a request:
The annual fundraiser can use your help. Don’t forget to sign up.
Raise your awareness on these kinds of communication and see how you can
Re-frame the message. Here are my responses:
It is amazing to think of another state being twice the size of Texas.
How was your prime rib?
We can use your help on the fundraiser. Are you available?
Something to think about as you engage in conversation.
Have an empowering word choice week.
Ice Chip #84
The easiest way to sharpen your skills with Remember the Ice is to raise your awareness of "(K)notty Words".
Here are some common examples from road signs, store signs, brochures and more. How often do you see them? Do you have some on your website? On your brochures? In your Policy Manual?
These are simple requests or suggestions that will be more specific and more of what you want if they re-framed and re stated.
How would you re-frame them?
If you would like some assistance with my Re-Framing Services, just send me an email and let's talk.
Have an empowering word choice week.
Bob
Ice Chip #83
While recently teaching the power of understanding Cognitive-Emotive Dissonance, my student, Annetta Chappell from Ohio, came up with a great description of what it feels like to be in the middle of C-E-D.
"It's like being in quick-sand. At first I struggle and stumble with getting rid of the (k)nots, and it can be frustrating. When I stop and think about what I want to say, attract, or what I would like to have happen, it becomes easier to make the change in word choice."
I immediately adopted that as a powerful image that accurately describes the critical point of the Process of Re-Education.
When in quick-sand, it is important to avoid struggling. As this comment from an article on suggests: If you fall into quicksand, resist the natural instinct to kick your way out. That just separates the sand from the water, forming a very dense layer of sediment at bottom where your feet are. Instead, you need to stay calm and lean back, so you get as much of your body surface on the water as possible.
As you deal with eradicating "(K)notty Words", stay calm. Think about what you want to have happen; or what you want to attract; or the behavior you would appreciate the person, you are talking with, to display.
The photos made me think about how I want to blow-up the "(K)notty Words"!!
So here are some shots in a sequence. (And if you are wondering, yes, the last one was close and the heat was real!!)
So have some fun blowing up your "(K)notty Words"
Just pause, relax. Stop and Think about your word choice. It will make all the difference.
Your continued support of Remember the Ice is greatly appreciated.
Empowering Regards,
Bob
The New eBook "(K)notty Words" in Action is now available. Just click here to get your copy at a 30% savings.
"There is Power in the Clarity of Your Articulation."
Thank you Ben West for taking this photo
of Major Addison and me.
