Ice Chip #114
I recently received an email from my friend Joe Orsak in Houston, TX. He posed an interesting "word choice" question.
I would like to share it with you as some "food for thought" in the empowering word choice landscape.
Hey Bob,
I'm working on a book and trying to avoid the "nots" in the process. I have found, however, that there are many occasions when I want to use a statement that includes something like this, "It IS this; NOT that."
I'm growing use to saying what things ARE rather than what they are not and certainly feel it is a more powerful form of communication (thank you for that) but still feel compelled to include the "not" at some points because it feels like it gives more power to the statement.
Specific example: The word ekklesia, however, was a political term; not a religious term.
Thoughts?
Appreciate your time,
Joe
Joe has asked a great question.
Here is how I responded to his example: It is this; instead of that.
Better yet, create a firmer sense of certainty with just one comment:
"THIS is the one." or "THIS is it."
(No shouting, just an emphasis.)
Specific example: The word ekklesia was a political term, instead of a religious term.
Another example could be this:
Ecclesia is a political term. (Stated with firm congruent physiology, you will get the message across with emphasis.)
Hope this is helpful.
In my opinion, there are no reasons to use "(K)notty Words".
(Note: According to the dictionary, the word "ekklesia" means an assembly and/or a congregation. It can also be spelled "ecclesia".)
Thank you again Joe for this curious question.
Empowering Regards,
Bob
Ice Chip #113
Serena Williams is a former #1 ranked tennis player, and is currently the highest all-time money earner among all female athletes in the world.
Recently she has been dealing with some off-court issues. Take a look at this excerpt from Nakisha Williams' article on BET.com.
The tennis champ has been off the courts since winning Wimbledon in July; shortly after she cut her foot on a piece of glass and had to go through two surgeries. "I definitely have not been happy," Serena Williams told USA Today. "Especially when I had that second surgery (on my foot), I was definitely depressed. I cried all the time. I was miserable to be around."
Despite her recent health concerns, Williams has hopes she'll return to the game eventually. "I don't know what's realistic," said Williams. "I really don't know. I haven't put a date on it yet. I know how to play tennis. I've been doing it for a long time-longer than I can say. So I figure that will work out." (Creates a bit of a confusing message -- Would you agree?)
From a Remember the Ice perspective, her comments create some confusion. I doubt she has been happy with her situation, and I doubt she cried all the time. It is important to pay attention to the words we use.
Take a look at the headline on a recent USA Today front page:
Really!?!?!?
Serena, are you sure you want to say that?
What if the headline read:
"I am staying positive
as I work toward my return
to competitive tennis."
Thank you Tracy Kiersey for sending this example of a "(K)notty Word" in Action.
Remember, Words Mean Things.
Have an empowering word choice week!
Bob
Ice Chip #112
Take a look at the following message posted in an Oncologist's waiting room.
What Cancer Can Not Do
It Can Not:
INVADE THE SOUL
SUPPRESS MEMORIES
KILL FRIENDSHIP
DESTROY PEACE
CONQUER THE SPIRIT
SHATTER HOPE
CORRODE FAITH
STEAL ETERNAL LIFE
CRIPPLE LOVE
SILENCE COURAGE
Wow!! Based on my understanding of word choice, this list is exactly what Cancer can do!
Imagine sitting in that doctor's office, knowing you are dealing with cancer. Or maybe you are there for "the appointment" when they are about to tell you "You have Cancer." You turn your head slightly to one side and catch this framed message on some nice parchment. My first thought would be "Why would you want to tell me about the strength of Cancer?"
So I put my Paradigm Shifting, "(K)notty Word" choice eradicating, empowering word choice re-framing brain to work and came up with the following Empowering Message:
What is absolute despite the Presence of Cancer.
I Have:
PROTECTION OF MY SOUL
CHERISHED MEMORIES
GROWING FRIENDSHIPS
PEACE
AN EMPOWERED SPIRIT
EXPANDED HOPE
STRONG FAITH
ETERNAL LIFE
AMPLIFIED COURAGE
THE POWER OF LOVE
Even though cancer touches thousands of lives every day, empowering word choice is stronger!
Which list would you want your loved one to focus on?
Words Mean Things.
Have an empowering word choice week!
Bob
Ice Chip #111
One of my favorite experiences in sharing the concept of Remember the Ice is hearing about the major insights and paradigm shifts my students have in utilizing the concepts.
As the Chief Paradigm Shifter with Remember the Ice, my purpose is simple: Help you attract the life you want through empowering word choice. In pursuing this mission, we are becoming the Trusted Authority in eradicating "(K)notty Words" from the lexicon landscape. Message by message, e-mail by e-mail, billboard by billboard, website by...etc... we are changing the way the world communicates.
Remember the Ice is now a team!
Let me share the news: Annetta Chappell from Bellefontaine, Ohio is the first graduate of the Certified Paradigm Shifter curriculum and is excited to share the message of clutter-free communication. Lisa Coleman from Houston, Texas; LuAnn Buechler from Byron, Minnesota; and Bronwyn Emery Ashbaker from Alameda, California comprise the team that is becoming the Trusted Authority on empowering word choice.
Congratulations to Annetta, Lisa, LuAnn and Bronwyn. I am ecstatic to have you sharing the message!
This week's story comes from a recent coaching/training session with Lisa. She is a in the Houston market. In her client meetings, she noticed she was using the words "try" and "trying" with alarming regularity. "I wanted to make a change, because I know we have identified TRY as one of the "(K)notty Words", she said. So what I decided to start doing is this: If I am thinking "try", my re-framed choice is now: "my goal is".
In addition to this excellent re-framing choice of words, I noticed there was a significant shift in physiology as well. She displayed a higher level of confidence in her tone of voice; her posture and eye contact became more focused on her anticipated accomplishment. She knew she would achieve her goal!
The secret to using empowering word choice is:
"Makes you want to.... Stop and Think....."
Stop and Think about what you want to say; ask for; describe; direct; do.... etc.
Ask yourself what you want to attract; then think, write and speak about it in the affirmative.
Instead of "trying" to do something......
My goal is to do.......
Thank you Lisa for this powerful re-framed message.
Have an empowering word choice week,
Bob
Ice Chip #110
There are hundreds of "(K)notty Word" messages around us as we go through our day. This week's Ice Chip focuses on the simple act of paying attention to messages I see as I go about my business.
Have a look and see how you would change the messages on these signs at the utility offices:
Original: Calling for utility locates can't be easier, just dial...
Confusion: Calling for utility locates can (or could) be easier, just dial...
Re-Framed: Call for utility locates. Just dial 811. Know what's below, Call before you dig.
In each of the next three pictures, the request appears to be a simple one. The phone company; water and waste-water utility office; and the power company all want you to drop cash into the payment drops.
Wait a minute.
No. They really want you to NOT deposit cash.
Well since, our subconscious mind overlooks the NOT, we end up doing the opposite of what they wanted.
Here is one from an earlier Ice Chip:
Fascinating.
I took the time to check with the employee behind the desk in each of the offices noted.
Each one has instances where cash is deposited in the drop box. (One of the offices was attended by a new employee - less than a month on the job - and she commented, "I have seen several cash payments.")
If you want checks and payment stubs only -- tell us!
Checks or CC Payments only.
Or.
No Cash in drop box.
Notice the date on the last sign. Last time I checked, they were still finding a few payments in the night slot.
So here is the moral of the story.
It is a simple adjustment. Tell us what you would like us to do.
Send me a snapshot of your favorite "(K)notty Word" sign. It may end up in an Ice Chip!