Choose Your Words Wisely!

"Choose your words wisely!"

We've all heard this phrase, or a variation of it. I remember as an adolescent it was said as a warning before I started pleading my case with my parents or teachers.

As an adult and coach, that phrase has entirely changed in my daily life.

The Stowaways: "More" and "Less"

It made me ditch sneaky stowaway words like “more” and “less”. Those two little immeasurable components we tack onto our goals. “I need to get more sleep” or “I need to spend less money”. Great. But how on earth do you truly know what is more or less, or your progress if you are assigning success to stowaway words that have no tangible weight?

Dropping the Anchor: "Should"

Then there is the ultimate mental stowaway when striving for Authentically Intentional living:

SHOULD

SHOULD is an absolute anchor in the very worst way. SHOULD often assigns shame, guilt or negative self talk.

“I should sleep more” frames an honorable intention as a failure. “I should have a budget” creates this daunting mythical daydream rather than a tangible idea.

Setting a New Course

How about trying: “Consistent good sleep is beneficial to me. I'm going to work on my sleep hygiene.” This makes it an action item. A goal. Something to work towards. Or change your daydream to “A budget would really alleviate part of my money stress. I'm going to try it for 3 months!”

Replacing those words is such a simple way to chart a course to progress, rather than creating a road to failure where our goals are concerned.

My challenge to you: really rethink your use of these three simple words; MORE, LESS and SHOULD. Which of the stowaways are sneaking into your goals the most?