Why does it matter which words I use?
Isn't it just semantics?
The words that we choose matter.
They affect our perception, expereince and outcomes. This applies in infinite situations including how we describe identities, observations, beliefs, opinions, lets just look at one example.
👉When we speak as if something is an inherent quality which is not.
For example:
I am not creative.
I am inexperienced.
I lack social intelligence.
I am not a natural leader.
I have imposter syndrome.
I am not a confident person.
I have no organizational skills.
I am not a good problem solver.
I am not a detail-oriented person.
I have terrible communication skills.
When we do this we are telling ourselves that this is a quality that we do or do not possess. It strongly implies that we cannot change it, that we are destined to stay this way.
It becomes part of our identity.
Part of the story that we tell ourselves over and over.
Our abilities and qualities are not fixed, but fluid and ever-evolving, scientists call this Neuroplasticity - the brains inherent ability to change.
A small shift in how we describe our expereince changes the message that we send to our unconscious mind.
Consider these:
I lack creativity - I am new to creating things.
I am inexperienced - I am building my experience base.
I lack social intelligence - I have not always read situations correctly.
I am not a natural leader - I am developing my leadership skills.
I have imposter syndrome - I have experienced feeling like an imposter.
I am not a confident person - I often don't feel confident.
I have no organizational skills - I am still discovering my systems.
I am not a good problem solver - I have found solving problems difficult.
I am not a detail-oriented person - I prefer to look at the big picture.
I have terrible communication skills - I could communicate more effectively.
We can take the power back by using language that acknowledges that what we are experiencing is an expereince rather than a fixed state.
The use of verbs allows for a dynamic and growth-oriented mindset, fostering continuous improvement, progress, and personal development.
By expanding beyond the limitations we impose on ourselves, we unlock a world of growth, learning, and endless possibilities.
What is possible for you?