The 6 Words That Are Holding You Back

It’s no secret that words have power. For example, you probably wouldn’t say to a potential vendor, “I’m not hiring you because your product sucks.”  Instead, you might say, “I don’t think your offering is the right fit for us at this time.” There is a big difference in how the recipient of that information hears the first one over how he hears the second, and, as professionals and decent human beings, we are sensitive to that.

So it’s curious why we use damaging words when we’re talking about our own ability or about our willingness to do whatever it takes to achieve our goals. When talking about ourselves, we tend to use words that diminish our ability and our belief in our capability. The impact these words have on the confidence others have in us is bad enough. It's worse than they affect the decisions we make and the actions we take.

The words we use, even if only in our head, say a lot about our attitude, and attitude is everything. In business, there are some things that are seemingly out of our control, like waiting for a potential client to pull the trigger for hiring us or for our bosses to finally deliver on that well-deserved promotion. But we can control the words we use, both spoken and unspoken, and in turn, control our attitude. If your attitude about a situation is negative, then the words you use about the situation will also be and the likelihood of your actions and decision-making around that situation will be in kind. And if the words you use have a negative or limiting connotation, even if our attitude is positive, those negative words can actually change our attitude in an adverse way.

Watch out for these:

Should, Shouldn’t.  People are always telling us what we should or shouldn’t do and we actually do the same thing to ourselves. The reality is, there is nothing you should or shouldn’t do. What matters is what the right thing to do is and what you’re willing to or want to do. When you say you should or shouldn't do something, you are making a value judgment about it, but that doesn't always mean you are making the right choice. Do the right thing. Always.

Have to. Let’s get one thing straight right now. There are very few things you HAVE TO do in life and breathing is one of them. Anything you do because you HAVE TO is nothing more than your choice to do so because the alternative or the repercussions are not worth not doing it. 

Can, Can't. You can? Great. But the question is, will you? The word 'can' is seemingly innocuous, but actually has a negative connotation. Think about it. Pick something you say you can do. Perhaps that’s "I can land that client" or "I can get funding for my business." Now change the word from "can" to "will." Some say this is semantics but there is a big difference in how you think about the situation when you say you will versus saying you can. Can is not a definite but instead a possibility without action. There is nothing in the can that says you will.

"Can’t," on the other hand, is a copout. When you say you can’t, you are saying there is no way or that you’re not capable. Wrong. What you’re really saying when you say “I can’t” is “I won’t.” Own that and stop saying that you can't do something because, in truth, you CAN do anything you want to, and you WILL do what you want to do.

Impossible. And speaking of "can’t," can you imagine if the Wright Brothers said flying was impossible? (Well, the Wright Brothers weren’t the first to fly, it was actually German-born, Gustave Whitehead.) But no matter who is credited, someone had to believe it was possible for it to be done. Once you convince yourself that something is possible, the rest is about finding a way and then taking action. Sure, you might fail many times before you find success, but saying that something is impossible makes it so. There has to be at least a small part of you that believes it is possible before you can make anything happen. 

If you want to get out of your own way and stop holding yourself back, take action now. Start by watching out for how often the preceding six words creep into your thoughts and verbal communication. Consider whether or not the sentence containing these words is really the truth. Call yourself out, and then find a better way to think (or say) what you really mean.

Source: The 6 Words That Are Holding You Back

Image source: https://www.bangkokpost.com/life/social-and-lifestyle/1757224/word-wise

Simple Words are Powerful Words

A vocabulary of truth and simplicity will be of service throughout your life  

 Winston Churchill

According to Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, there are less than 3000 words used to explain the meaning of each word in the dictionary. It is mentioned that these words are frequently used and they are the core vocabulary of English. It means these words are simple and yet powerful enough to explain other words which are difficult to understand in a dictionary. It just shows that simple words are powerful in many ways:  

   

·         Core vocabulary: If you were to master 10 words each day, it would take only 300 days or less than a year to master these simple and yet effective and powerful words. 

·         Easy to understand: Since these are simple words, so it is easy to understand. You get your message across clearly, precisely, and fully.   

·         Used by people who are looking for things on the Net: As these words are used frequently, people are more likely to search the Net with these simple words. It means when you write with simple words your articles are more likely to be picked up by search engines.   

·         Impactful: Simple words are so easy to understand and remember. It creates an impact in the mind of the readers easily.

·         Effective communication: To avoid misunderstanding, use simple words to communicate. As these are the defining vocabulary, no other words are simpler than these. 

Here are some positive words randomly extracted from the defining vocabulary:

Achieve Action Active Advantage

Believe Brave

Calm Celebrate Cheerful Confident Continuously Create

Determined

Easy Effective Efficient Encourage Enthusiastic Essential Excited

Forgive Friendly

Grateful Generous

Happy Hopeful Humorous

Imaginative Impressive Improve

Joy

Kind

Listen Lively Love Lucky

Magic Mysterious

Naturally

Open

Patient Pleasant Practice

Qualified

Relaxed Release Responsible

Satisfied Sensible Smile Strengthen

Think Transparent True

Understand Useful

Valuable

Warm Wide

Young

10 Powerful Words that Spell Success

Be inspired by these motivational words. These powerful words contain the essential elements of lasting success:

1.      Dream

            A dream is the starting point of your passion and success. It sets your heart on fire because the vision of your dream inspires and excites you. Do you have a  dream?

            You've got to have a dream if you want to have a dream come true.

            ~Dennis Waitley

 

2.      Prepared

A dream is only an image in your mind. To set your dream in motion, write down your goals, plan for it and organize your daily task to realize your dream.

Good plans shape good decisions. That's why good planning helps to make elusive dreams come true.

~ Lester Robert Bittel

3.      Act

Your plan is useless if you do not act. Do it now and work on it every day. It is your daily effort that counts and not just doing it once in a while.

We should be taught not to wait for inspiration to start a thing.  Action always generates inspiration.  Inspiration seldom generates action.

~Frank Tibolt

 

4.      Persistent

The road to success is full of obstacles, problems, and setbacks.  You must persist and persevere and be resilient when you fall down. If your goals are not challenging it is not worthwhile and you will not be satisfied.  Resistance strengthens your resolve and boosts your determination to reach your objectives.

The key of persistence opens all door closed by resistance

~ John Di Lemme

5.      Focused

When you know what you do is right, do not get distracted. Work with focus and concentrate on the task at hand. Do one thing at a time and do it well. The most important thing is to enjoy the process.

Most people have no idea of the giant capacity we can immediately command when we focus all of our resources on mastering a single area of our lives.

~Anthony Robbins

6.      Confident

Believing in what you do will bring your success. Put a smile on your face and face the world with a bright perspective.

You can have anything you want if you will give up the belief that you can't have it.

~Dr. Robert Anthony

7.      Enthusiastic

Are you motivated by your dream? Do you get excited to get things done? Are you enthusiastic to start a new day early? If you are, you will achieve your dream.

Enthusiasm is one of the most powerful engines of success. When you do a thing, do it with all your might. Put your whole soul into it. Stamp it with your own personality. Be active, be energetic and faithful, and you will accomplish your object. Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

 

8.      Learn

      Continuous learning is the way to be knowledgeable.  When you learn by actually doing it you gain experience and wisdom. To be successful is to open your mind to new ideas.

You cannot open a book without learning something.

~ Confucius

 

9.      Creative

            It is an idea, an original and unique one that differentiates you from others. Be resourceful to work differently by using the knowledge that you have gained.

      Creativity is thinking up new things. Innovation is doing new things.

      ~ Theodore Levitt

10.  Change

If at first, you do not succeed, try another way. If you are doing the same old way day in day out, make changes and seek progress. You may be doing right, but there is always room for improvement. Most importantly change with technological advancements.

Resolve to be a master of change rather than a victim of change.

~Brian Tracy

To accomplish great things, we must not only act but also dream; not only plan but also believe.

Anatole France

Related articles:

10 Powerful Words to Inspire You at Work

10 Words to Keep You Going On In Life

10 More Inspirational Words About Working Smart

Here are ten more words to motivate you to work smart:

1.      Energy:  The power to drive your energy is your health and fitness. Exercise daily and get fit to face challenges at work.    

The first requisite for success is the ability to apply your physical and mental energies to one problem incessantly without growing weary.

~Thomas A. Edison

2.      Excitement: How early you wake up every morning determines how excited you are about your life and work. You are excited by your dreams and passion. When you know what you want in life you go for it every day with excitement.

Dreams get you into the future and add excitement to the present.

Robert Conklin

3.      Growth: You are growing when you keep learning new things and doing new things. Nothing is going to happen if you do the same old thing every day.   

One of the most essential things you need to do for yourself is to choose a goal that is important to you. Perfection does not exist -- you can always do better and you can always grow.

~Les Brown

4.      Honesty and integrity: Honesty is the best policy. Speak the truth and you don’t have to remember what you have said. Do the right things and you sleep with a clear conscience.

Integrity is telling myself the truth. And honesty is telling the truth to other people.

~Spencer Johnson

5.      Knowledge: The more you learn and know, the more resourceful you will be to solve problems and get things done. 

When you know better you do better.

~ Maya Angelou

6.      Leadership: A manager may not be a leader, but a leader is a manager. A leader is a competent person with willing followers. A leader does not need to exercise authority to get things done through others.

The best executive is the one who has sense enough to pick good men to do what he wants done, and self-restraint to keep from meddling with them while they do it.

~Theodore Roosevelt

7.      Performance: You are what you do. The most important thing is to work with your heart and do the best you can because you are measured by what you can do.  

A total commitment is paramount to reaching the ultimate in performance.

~Time Flores

8.      Reputation: Your reputation is your brand. Honor all your promises to build a trusted Brand.

If I take care of my character, my reputation will take care of me.

~Dwight L. Moody

9.      Responsibility: You are responsible if something goes wrong. Do not give excuses or blame others. People will respect you for your character.  

Hold yourself responsible for a higher standard than anybody expects of you. Never excuse yourself.

~Henry Ward Beecher

10.  Time: You are in control when you can get the most important things done within a limited time. You will manage your time well when you are prepared and organized. 

If you want to make good use of your time, you’ve got to know what’s mo

10 Positive Words to Motivatst important and then give it all you’ve got.

~Lee Iacocca

Related posts:
10 Positive Words to Motivate You (Part 1) 
10 Inspirational Words about Working Smart

10 Inspirational Words about Working Smart

Getting ahead in your career begins with your positive mental attitude.  Thinking right will motivate you to do the right things and excel in your career. Here are ten positive words to inspire and motivate you at work:   

1.      Achievement: Are you able to generate more sales than ever before for the company?  Is your austerity drive working well and cutting expenses? Are you creating and building a trusted brand for your establishment and getting more “likes” on Facebook? These are some of the achievements to aim for at work.    

Happiness is not in the mere possession of money; it lies in the joy of achievement, in the thrill of creative effort.

~ Franklin D. Roosevelt

2.      Advancement: It is necessary to do good work. It is also important to get noticed for what you have done in order to get promoted. Be smart, be noticeable.

Advancement only comes with habitually doing more than you are asked.

~Gary Ryan Blair

3.      Challenges: Problems are challenges.  Adopt a problem-solving attitude. Show others what you can do and earn their respect.  Solving problems is the way to show your true worth.

Accept the challenges so that you can feel the exhilaration of victory

~George S. Patton

4.      Change: Be flexible and adaptable to advancements in technology. To embrace changes is to move forward and make progress. Be alert and learn new things every day.

By changing nothing, nothing changes.

~Tony Robbins

5.      Competence: Your technical skills are very important at work. People respect you because you can solve their problems.  Your performance is the measurement of your capabilities. Update your skills to stay ahead.

It is easier to do a job right than to explain why you didn’t.

~ Martin Van Buren

6.      Corporation: Work in tandem with your boss to achieve his goals and objectives.

Inspire your team to get excited about their work.  Provide motivation and support to engage them at work. Working smart is getting others to get things done willingly. 

  

Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success.

~Henry Ford

7.      Creativity: It is about getting unique and original ideas to do a job. Doing things differently may be risky but if you don’t try you will be stagnant and make no headway.

Creativity is inventing, experimenting, growing, taking risks, breaking rules, making mistakes, and having fun.

~ Mary Lou Cook

8.      Decisiveness: When you have come to a decision, take prompt action. Do not worry about making mistakes. You will regret later not making the move.

If I had to sum up in a word what makes a good manager, I'd say decisiveness. You can use the fanciest computers to gather the numbers, but in the end, you have to set a timetable and act.

~Lee Iacocca

9.      Effectiveness: It is about doing the right thing at the right time. Use a to-do list and do the most important job first thing in the morning. You will get job satisfaction out of your daily accomplishments.

We may be very busy, we may be very efficient, but we will also be truly effective only when we begin with the end in mind

 ~Stephen R. Covey

10.  Efficiency: Simplification is the key at work. Getting things done the quick and easy way is the way to go. Efficiency is about working smart and not hard.

Efficiency is doing better than what is already being done.

~Peter F. Drucker

Are you getting productive at work? Be inspired by these 10 positive words and work smart. 


Related posts:

 10 Positive Words to Motivate You (Part 1)
10 More Inspirational Words About Working Smart

10 Words to Keep You Going On In Life

The journey of life is a long and winding road. Let these powerful words motivate you to venture into the future no matter what:

1.      Persevering: Life is full of obstacles and the journey to achieve your goals is never smooth sailing. The most important thing is to like what you do and enjoy every moment of it.

Perseverance is the hard work you do after you get tired of doing the hard work you already did.  ~Newt Gingrich

2.      Tenacious: Be very clear about what you want in life. Write it down and look at it every day. Be determined to go all the way and accepting defeat is not an option.

Tenacity is a pretty fair substitute for bravery, and the best form of tenacity I know is expressed in a Danish fur trapper’s principle: “The next mile is the only one a person really has to make.” ~ Eric Sevareid

3.      Sustained: Just continue to do what you have to do.  Success is working at it every day with great effort.

 Construct your Determination with Sustained Effort, Controlled Attention, and Concentrated Energy. Opportunities never come to those who wait... they are captured by those who dare to attack. ~ Meyer. Paul J. 

4.      Persistent: Problems will not dampen your spirit. Obstacles will not hinder your will to succeed.

A little more persistence, a little more effort, and what seemed hopeless failure may turn to glorious success. ~  Elbert Hubbard  

5.      Constant: Success is working towards your goals every day and not just once in a while. It is your constant and persistent effort that counts. 

The secret to success is constancy to purpose. ~Benjamin Disraeli

  

6.      Believing: Are you confident and optimistic in what you do? Believing in yourself is the way to conquer the world and realize your dreams. 

Believe in yourself! Have faith in your abilities! Without a humble but reasonable confidence in your own powers, you cannot be successful or happy. ~Norman Vincent Peale

7.      Enthusiastic:  Get excited when you get up in the morning. It’s a brand new day to get things done wholeheartedly and zestfully.  

Enthusiasm – the sustaining power of all great action. ~Samuel Smiles

8.      Focused: Do not get distracted. Be single-minded and trust what you do is right.

The successful warrior is the average man, with laser-like focus. ~Bruce Lee 

9.      Passionate: Keep the fire in you burning, be committed.

The most powerful weapon on earth is the human soul on fire. 
~Field Marshal Ferdinand Foch

10.  Resilient: Getting defeated is not the end of the story. Getting stronger with each failure is the key to success.  

Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.
~Confucius

What are the other motivating words that you are inspired to carry on living?  

10 Powerful Words to Inspire You at Work

Do you want to get motivated at work? Here are 10 magical words that spell success in your career. Be inspired and be ahead at work with these encouraging words:

1.      Adaptable: Are you flexible and willing to accept changes for the better? Can you accept constructive criticism? Be ready to embrace changes to stay ahead or you will be forced to change.

It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is the most adaptable to change. ~Evers Charles

2.      Confident.:   Believe that you will be able to face challenges successfully and get things done.

Without a humble but reasonable confidence in your own powers, you cannot be successful or happy.  ~Norman Vincent Peale

3.      Energetic: To be energetic, you have to be healthy and fit. Exercise daily to promote robust energy. You will  work with a drive to influence others positively

The world belongs to the energetic. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

4.      Organized: To plan ahead and work according to your plan is the least stressful way to get a day’s job done.

No business can succeed in any great degree without being properly organized.
~James Cash Penney

5.      Passionate: When you are passionate about the work you are committed, enthusiastic, excited, and motivated. You enjoy what you do and it gives you satisfaction and happiness.

If you're passionate about your work, it makes the people around you want to be involved too. ~Wanda Sykes

6.      Positive: Focus on your goals and get things done.  Do not allow negative thoughts or fear to enter your mind.

"People become really quite remarkable when they start thinking that they can do things. When they believe in themselves they have the first secret of success."~ Norman Vincent Peale

7.      Productive: To be productive is to avoid complication and work a simple way which is efficient and effective. This is the way to do less but get more done in less time. At the end of the day, it is your performance that counts.

The least productive people are usually the ones who are most in favor of holding meetings. ~Thomas Sowell

8.      Responsible: You are a responsible person when you care about your reputation at work. You take pride in what you do and you are determined to do your best.

Accept responsibility for your life. Know that it is you who will get you where you want to go, no one else. ~Les Brown

9.      Skillful: You are employed for your skills. Sharpen your skills to be more valued at work. The most important thing is to learn continuously.

Learning how to learn is life's most important skill. ~Tony Buzan

10.  Trusted: Trust is an important issue at work. Building trust takes time and it can be destroyed instantly. Keeping your promises and meeting deadlines are all part of upholding the trust of others in you.

Anyone who doesn't take truth seriously in small matters cannot be trusted in large ones either. ~Albert Einstein

Wish you success at work.