The Words Coming Out Of Your Mouth

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As Jackie Chan stated in the movie Rush Hour, “Do you understand the words coming out of my mouth?”

I would flip the question around and ask you, “Do you understand the words coming out of your mouth?”

Why?

The words we use become the lens in which we view the world is a statement I share with my clients.

How are your words serving you? Are they supporting your goals and dreams?

Two words similar meanings but different feelings.

Let’s take 2 words: test and challenge.

They are essentially they same thing but emotionally they each carry different baggage. For most people the word “test” invokes feelings of anxiety and stress. Yet when you compare it to “challenge” many people associate it as something that is positive and exciting.

What words are you using that are serving you and enhancing your life vs. what words are weighing you down?

The stories that lift us…

I asked a client to describe themselves regarding their health and fitness. He used words like lazy, taking the easy way out, didn’t like to work hard, and helpless. If you looked at his body language, his head was down, shoulders dropped, and a lack luster energy in his eyes.

I asked, “Are there any areas in your life that you feel like you are a rock star?” All of a sudden, the transformation happened in front of my eyes. His shoulders straightened out, his head was held high, and there was a twinkle in his eyes. He said he was a rock star at what he did for a living, his work. He used words like hard working, efficient, overcomes obstacles, focused, and determined to succeed.

Hmm, interesting don’t you agree?

Think about the stories you are telling yourself.

In my experience after working with hundreds of men and women their failure to achieve the success they want in life has little to do with their tactics or information, like diet and exercises, but with their beliefs, the stories they tell themselves. The famous business coach, Dan Sullivan, has a great line that says, “The problem is not the problem. The problem is way you are thinking about the problem.” Albert Einstein once said that if he had an hour to solve a problem and his life depended on the solution, he’d spend the first 55 minutes determining the proper question to ask. “For once I know the proper question, I could solve the problem in less than five minutes,” he explained.  Both of these 2 wise men are in essence saying similar things. If you want the better answers, ask better questions.

In the example above my client was telling himself one story about who he was in regards to his health and fitness, but had a completely different story of himself regarding his work identity. After our coaching session went on he was able to see that both were only stories and were fabricated and acted upon by him and only him. He had the power to create the story he wanted about his identity. When that happened, he went from lazy, liking to take the easy way out, and helpless to becoming hardworking, dedicated, and in control of his health and fitness.

I share this because how many times in life are we not reaching our potential because of the stories we are telling ourselves?

If there was one thing I’d hope you get from this post is that, the words you use become the stories you believe. Choose wisely so that they serve you well.

Cheers,

AC

PS  – What are some of the stories that are holding you back from achieving what you want? (LEAVE YOUR COMMENTS BELOW)