It's only words, and words are all I have To take your heart away ... “ sang the, No, not Boyzone but BEE GEES way back in 1968.
Have you ever wondered, what is the most important thing that enables a speaker to connect with the audience? After pondering over it for many journeys, I realized that it is the language we speak. What constitutes that language and enables me to win hearts and minds ;)? Is it my personality that could put Arnie to shame or is it my body language that can knock people over? Naah, It is the words I speak, silly!
Ancient cultures also recognized the power of words. In Latin, there are two words for word. One is verbus, from which we get verbal. The other is dictum, the noun form of the verb dico, to say. Originally, however, dico meant to consecrate, as to the gods, an indicator of the power of words in that culture.
"Death and life are in the power of the tongue," said King Solomon.
Who decides which it will be? We do.
Most of the time, we speak without thinking about how much impact the words we use will have on the audience. To clarify, a humorous word can lighten up a stifling atmosphere, a gentle word can arouse affection and an encouraging word can warm up a heart. An apology and a word of comfort will dissolve anger and frustration. Appropriate and sincere words of love have a profound and magical power to turn the most ordinary relationship into the most wonderful and special relationship, one that can be treasured for life.
Peter Drucker, the modern management guru said ‘I learned in twenty years in management my words have power over my thoughts and actions. They also impact and influence people I speak them to.’
All the words you use have power. However there are some words that are a little more powerful than the rest - They have an ability on their own when put into a sentence to increase the reception in the mind of the hearer. They are called power words.
The most important power word I have come across is ‘because’. It works on simple human behavior actually - If we ask someone to do a favor for us we will be more successful if we offer a reason.
A study was conducted where a group of people were asked to go a library and ask the librarian to use the Xerox machine. The control group used the words ‘I have only five pages. May I use the copier machine because I’m in a rush?’ They had a 94% conversion rate. The other group asked the same request without stating the reason – their success rate – 60%! "Because" prepares the mind for a reason. Even if the reason is not legitimate, it is still a reason.
Which shop would you enter – the one that said ‘discounts’ or one that said ‘Sale’. Studies have shown that people enter the shop that has the word ‘Bargain’ used more!
Which newspaper would get your attention, the one that said ‘Global markets cooling off’ or the one that said ‘Global markets Meltdown’?
Next time we require some help from one of our colleagues, try this out – instead of ‘Can you send this mail out by tomorrow?’ replace Can by ‘Let’s’ and say Let’s be sure and send this across today, okay?" It’s such a simple thing, yet you will find it works wonders.
A often heard word at my workplace made a difference to me– Instead of using the word ‘problem’ to describe my lack of time to prepare a presentation, I used the word ‘challenge’ and my perspective changed. To find time to create a presentation is a challenge made me start viewing it as something ‘doable’ instead of as an issue.
If you're having a challenge in your life, whether it is health, finances, personal, or business; look to see if your words are supporting or hindering your progress towards your goals. You may find the answer to your challenges just by listening to what you say when you talk to yourself.
And believe me, yet we take the language we speak for granted. When we examine it, we realize that quicksand can work slowly, boxing rings are square, and a guinea pig is neither from Guinea nor is it a pig. How can a slim chance and a fat chance be the same, while a wise man and a wise guy are opposites?
And why, when I wind up my watch, I start it, but when I wind up this post, I end it?
