The words have it

Mindset. Affirmations. Risky business.

Words have been consuming me lately. We use them with wild abandon and sheer disregard for the power they hold. “I am” pro-claims what you say after. “But” cancels out a statement just before it or just after. “Why” ignites the emotional defense and spins you further from resolution. Trying” keeps your goal just out of reach.

When I think about setting intentions and creating affirmations I think about the meaning of each word and not only as I intend them once strung together. Individual meanings matter.

When I coach, when I question, my words need to support and create space for insights to come through. You are the one who can connect with your memories and you are the one who will pull back the curtain and have the moments that, strung together, move you through and past what holds you back. Language. It is a powerful transformational tool that is incredibly underestimated.

You may think it’s easy to watch your words. I challenge you to take a day. And every time you hear yourself say “I am”… and take note of what you say next… are you tired? frustrated? bad with money? awful with tech? always late? Watch what you are claiming.

Every time you say “but…” what did you say just before or just after? What wasn’t true? If you are in the mindset of manifestation, it’s more about the release than what you think. And blessing is going to come in where there isn’t truth? How often have you heard, from yourself or someone else the “soft no”…. “I’d love to go, but I have so much to do”. I bet you didn’t really want to go. Or “Writing is a passion of mine but I’ve just not got the time to devote to it”. Is writing really your passion? Or are you denying the time to devote to it?

Every time you ask why… “Why did you do that”? “Why would you ever…”?… Fuel for the argument fire if you asked those questions. And in those times of self reflection did you ask “Why did I do that”? I bet you spun into an emotional whirlwind and landed nowhere.

Every time you say you’ll try you are not only keeping the goal just out of reach, you are also saying you are not truly committed to it. Nike had it right. So did Yoda.. Do or do not. There is no try.

Our growth begins in language. Language sets the intention for actions. Are you ready for what you want to call in? Accomplish? Heal? Use your language.