The more that I speak, coach, train, and write, the more I realize that I rely on a just a handful of words for the majority of my communication. While there’s nothing inherently wrong with any of these words, and it’s not as if I’m saying them to the same people over and over again each day, over the last few weeks I’ve been finding my creativity stymied. And I suspect it may by my eagerness to go to my comfort words both in my oral and written communication that’s locking me up.
So last night, while having a few friends over for a couple’s fondue party, I gave myself the challenge to use words I don’t typically have reason to say when appropriate to the topic being discussed. While I discovered that sometimes using a familiar word or phrase is necessary (I got a lot of puzzled looks when I said octogenarian when older adult would have sufficed), I’m nevertheless going to try my darndest NOT to use the following 9 words through the end of the workweek (except for in my Future Proof Your Potential Group Coaching Tele-class. I can’t talk about authentic pitching without saying at least half of these) and see what I learn.
1. Authenticity
2. Branding
3. Possibilities
4. Discover (Yes, I said this above. I’m starting my experiment once this posts.)
5. Networking
6. Millennial(s)
7. Integrity
8. Aha (I know this isn’t a word, but trust me, it deserves a place on this list!)
9. Payoff
Do you ever find that you are recycling the same words and phrases in your communication?
Is it solely out of routine? Professional necessity? Or might there be some unchecked employer/client/people pleasing in effect?
Please share your insights!
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3 comments:
Fun challenge for yourself! Awesome -
Have you seen or heard about this? http://theymightbegiants.com/v2/?p=309
It's a list of things that those in the band may no longer say. Heard about it on the radio. How I wish we'd had one of these when I was on tour!
@Emily
Their list is hilarious! Thanks for sharing. What words/phrases would have been on your list?
I find that using simple words increases my audience. I'd prefer the distinctions of Transformation, Expectation, and such, but find so many more people relate to Change and Demand.
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