Phrases that give away your power

Positive words encourage cognitive brain function. Negative words activate fight-or-flight responses, slowing cognitive function. It has been postulated that a single word has the power to influence the expression of genes.

Kathy and Ross Petras, hosts of the “You’re Saying it Wrong” podcast recently gave some good advice on language that gives away your personal power. 

Don’t say: “I have to do that.”

Say: “I get to do that.”

Don’t say: “I can’t do that.” 

Say: “I can try to do that.”

Don’t say: “I should do that.”

Say: “I will/won’t do that.”

Don’t say: “Why is this happening to me?”

Say: “What am I learning from this?”

Don’t say: “I should never have.” 

Say: “Because I did that, I now know...”

Don’t say: “I failed.”

Say: “This attempt didn’t work.”

Don’t say: “This is too complicated.”

Say: “I don’t understand this right now.”

Don’t say: “It’s not fair.”

Say: “I can deal with it anyway!”

Don’t say: “It’s never going to change.”

Say: “I can change the way I approach this.”

Good advice, especially since words can affect your brain function.