power – Ulrike Hill

WORDS HAVE THE POWER

Many people cannot understand why they do not achieve. They look at successful people and believe that these people have all the luck. But is it really all about luck? Not according to Gary Player. He has often been quoted as saying: “The more I practise, the luckier I get.” And, the beauty about luck is that it is so easy to get. So how do you improve your luck?

[box] “A serious problem with reactive language is that it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.” Robert Heller[/box]

Step One: Develop self-awareness

One way of gaining self-awareness is to look at your everyday language. What type of words are you using? The words you use will show how you perceive your world. Do the following words sound familiar? “I can’t do anything about it” or “I don’t care”.

People under perform because they limit their ambitions. These limitations are shown through language that they use.

Analyse your language to see in what way you are holding yourself back. Here is an exercise for you. Look at your language and the language of those around you for a whole day. Write down the words you hear or words you use. What does this reveal about you and these people?

For example, “He makes me angry.” This is illogical. You choose to be angry. The other person did not force you to be angry. He may have said something that you did not like but he does not have control over your emotions. Only you do.

Step Two: Develop a habit

Successful people have good habits. It takes 21 days to develop a habit. Not all habits are bad. You can develop good ones. You have to focus on developing a good habit. Decide today that your language will always be positive. The glass is not half-empty. It is half-full.

The language of someone who is control of their life is about being proactive. Reflect on the things that you can do something about and accept the things you cannot change.

Examine the following reactive and proactive phrases:

Reactive	Proactive
That’s just the way that I am	I can choose a different approach
There’s no use asking, he will say no	I’ll make an offer he cannot refuse
I couldn’t do that, it’s not my sort of thing	I’ve never done that before but I’d love to try
If only	I will
I have to	I choose to

Every time your thoughts become negative turn them into positive thoughts. Before you know it, you will become a positive person. When someone presents you with a problem, see it as a challenge: something to test your abilities rather than setting up for failure.

Step Three: Become a better you

Now that you are thinking positive thoughts and using positive words, you will find that people will enjoy your company. You will no longer be the person with a dark cloud around your head. And, when the going gets tough? Well you know what positive people say? “The tough get going!”

Gay. What is the first thought that comes to mind when you read this word? You probably did not think it meant happy but rather that it was another word for homosexual. Did you realise that Gay could also be the abbreviated form of the name ‘Gaynor’? Same word. Three different meanings. Three different interpretations.

My daughter first saw the word in ‘The Great Gatsby’. “This book is so old-fashioned,” she exclaimed indignantly. And that is what happens. Words change meaning through different eras.

How a word is used is very important.

What meaning do you want to convey to your reader? Many marketers may think that using a simple word is writing in plain language. Not true. Writing certain words could change meaning according to the person’s cultural or educational background.

Words have specific cultural meaning. Lady Gaga’s latest release Judas pushes buttons. She intended it to.

Consider the following lines from the song: When he comes to me, I am ready. I’ll wash his feet with my hair if he needs. Forgive him when his tongue lies through his brain. Even after three times, he betrays me.

Simple words.

According to Lady Gaga, the song is about ‘falling in love with the wrong man’. The release date of this song happened to coincide with Easter. Accidental timing? Lady Gaga ensured that she achieved maximum press exposure. She understands the principles of marketing.

The song was banned but the damage was done. The curious downloaded the song. Lady Gaga made her point.

Communicators need to be aware of the social context in which a message is read. The communicator needs to get into the shoes of the targeted reader and understand the reader’s circumstances. How will the reader perceive the message? Will the reader understand the words within a specific social and economic context?

Consider this. The home language of the majority of South Africans is not English. What does the word ‘gay’ mean to the majority? Is the word even used in their culture?

Words are loaded. They have been used as bullets to fleece unsuspecting consumers. But words can empower.

Here’s the opportunity. Businesses are preparing to tackle plain language. Communications extend beyond the formal written document. Communications include emails, letters, text messages, speeches, engagement with the business world beyond the keyboard. It is about time the business world focuses on the consumer. After all, the consumer includes you and me.

The above article was published in Innov8tMag, June 2011. It has been shortened.

Image source: Click here.