Two Minute Drill: Eradicating Negative Language (#1)

Hello, everyone. Time for the two minute drill on negative language. The thing about negative language is that it is non communication, and oftentimes it's also destructive because it's negative. I mean, think about it. If I tell you, well, that's not exactly the way I would do it. How have I helped you in any way? Right. Virtually every negative phrase you use confuses people. For example, I'm not a fan of the color of that dress, which is a scary thing to say to anybody. But nonetheless, it doesn't communicate anything to begin with, and it hurts people. Negative language almost always has a negative impact going forward. Negative language is sticky. You can be as complimentary as you want to someone, but you mention one thing that you don't like, don't care for, don't want, don't believe. And what do they remember? They always remember the thing that you didn't like, and sometimes they remember it forever. One of the problems with negative language, too, is that it almost always forces us to talk about yesterday. Okay, well, why do you think that? Why do you say that? What do you mean? Okay, well, the problem with that, of course, is that you're dealing in yesterday. None of that is really helpful when you think about it. You want to talk about where we're going, what it's about, what's your lifestyle, what's happening that really mattered to you. The goal of language is to move the process and the thinking and the behavior forward. And this is what positive language will do for you. Thinking about the power of the negative here. You know, I haven't worked in every culture, but I can tell you this. In every culture, the most negative word is no. Whether you're 5 years old, 55 or 105, no is a negative concept. The real goal of communication is to get to yes and be positive. So the main lesson of this particular talk is start eradicating negative words and phrases from your vocabulary and your life will change, I promise you.