WHAT'S IN A WORD?

Today a complete stranger called me 'sweetie'...

You know what that means, right?

They either thought I was under the age of 5 or over the age of…

What do ya say?

Ever really stop to think about the impact of your words on those around you?

SERIOUSLY SPEAKING - LISTEN TO THE MUSIC

We focus a lot on body language and the clues it gives us about our interactions with others - all that eye contact, crossed arm displays and other visual indicators that we've learned to notice…

But what about actual spoken language?

We have incorporated many words and phrases into our speech that allow us to - at best - soften our message, and at the worst, lie with impunity!

All these mitigating phrases are used to soften the blow of something that we believe would otherwise be offensive or unbelievable. 

Do you think it works?

DANCE WITH IT!   EXPERIENTIAL APPS                           

An opportunity to experiment with some fun ideas…

WHAT ARE THEY REALLY SAYING?

Make a list of all the mitigating words and phrases you use or hear during the course of the next few days…

What happens as you pay attention to this?

How do you feel when others do it to you?

Does it upgrade them in your estimation?

What do you imagine would happen if you stopped doing this?

THANK YOU, DEAR…

Ever notice how similar the intonation - and sometimes even the words are - that we use for the elderly and for little children?

Ever stop to wonder whether you're hearing that tone because the speaker is looking down on the person they are talking to?

What do ya say?

Remember that song?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UYcjDlSdnw

SERIOUSLY SPEAKING - BUT OUT!

The word 'but' permeates our speech and is so insidious that most of the time we are not even aware of how often we utilize it and the convoluted messages we are creating with this usage!

Do we really believe that saying 'but' gives us a pass when we employ it to negate the previous part of what we've said? 

Is it possible that this tiny 3 letter word will actually soften the impact of the next part of the sentence?

DANCE WITH IT!   EXPERIENTIAL APPS           

An opportunity to experiment with some fun

ideas...

THERE ARE TWO PARTS TO OUR 'BUTS'… 

OPPS!  DID I JUST SAY THAT?

TO WORK WITH OUTGOING BUTS:

Stop 'butting' and start 'anding'. 

Remove the word 'but' from your vocabulary for one week - If you can! 

Experiment with using 'and' instead…

What happens?

TO WORK WITH INCOMING 'BUTS':

Ask yourself what is really being said to you…

And then ask the speaker!

Should be interesting…

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To comment just click on the word 'comments' below.

Remember we are also at:  www.thehumandance.com

THE POWER OF WORDS: UPGRADE IN 4 EASY STEPS!

SERIOUSLY SPEAKING

Words shape our shared perceptions of the world.

The way we use language tells others about our beliefs and intentions.

How we use words not only affects our listeners, but also has a tremendous impact on our own thinking!

DANCE WITH IT!   EXPERIENTIAL APPS
An opportunity to experiment with some fun ideas...

UPGRADE IN 4 EASY STEPS!

The 4 steps to your upgrade:

1.     Get rid of ‘but’!  Use ‘and’ instead.  Big difference!  Check it out!

2.    Never say:  “To tell you the truth…”  The minute these words leave your mouth I know your fingers are crossed!

3.    Catch yourself before you say:  “I mean…”  If you said it, I assume you meant it, no?

4.    And please, if you want to sound at all direct, kill this one off:  “Umm…”  We both know you’re stalling, so come on, cut to the chase!

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