This month there has been a focus on reinvention. It was not planned, but somehow the theme seemed to take on life of it’s own. An unplanned video seemed to spark a line of thought that won’t let go, just yet.
Have you ever noticed how you adjust your language when addressing different groups? While you may use your native tongue there are nuances. You may have a work language that allows you to communicate with colleagues that adjusts slightly when speaking with clients or your boss. You have a different language with your spouse than with your children. If you travel even domestically you may adjust your language for the region.
Reinvention has a language too and your words can move you toward action or inhibit your progress. The language of reinvention is:
- Clear. You are not maybe, possibly thinking of changing, you are doing it. You state clear objectives even if the map to achieve them is still unformed.
- Hopeful. The process of change begins with a belief that you can. Throughout the journey you must keep this belief alive, especially in the face of challenge, with language that is positive.
- Adventurous. Your language embraces possibilities, it is open and adventurous and speaks of what can be done rather than focusing on barriers. Joanna Young has an excellent 3 part series going on the Language of Possibility.
- New. When reinventing, especially if casting off unwanted behavior or circumstances choose new language to replace your old perspective.
- Grateful. Your language reflects gratitude for the good in your life, which keeps you on balance and able to take action on the things that need changing.
- Energetic. Your words lift you rather than pull you down. They spur you on to the finish with buoyancy.
You will notice that this new language is all about C-H-A-N-G-E. If we change our language, our actions will follow.
Have you ever found yourself speaking a language that put up barriers to change? How did you work though it?
Karen Swim says
Bad, bad spam filter! You’re not spam, I had to go in and rescue you! Whew, it was scary there! 😉 Barbara, you are so right – empathy is a good thing to add when teaching, coaching, mentoring whether verbally or in writing. Thanks for bringing that out!
Karen Swim says
Heather, your multilingual life definitely presents communication challenges. It’s hard enough to keep up with gestures that are okay in one culture and not so in another but golly words too! lol! I would be insane yet you handle it all so well. Any tricks for quickly adapting or does it just come easier after managing it for so long?
Karen Swim says
Alex, you really are in a unique position and offer some interesting insight. Your talent is amazing. Do you find that communicating in two languages makes you think more about the words you use? I have had some pretty funny conversations in Spanish with odd looks and laughter, I can’t imagine doing that everyday!
Karen Swim says
Joanna, I am really enjoying the dance too and learning so much from you. I think there was a time when I was grateful but didn’t fully appreciate the magnitude of what that meant and how it truly did impact everything else. As I learned more, I became even more grateful for the gift of being able to always give thanks. I love that life is filled with continuous learning!
Heather Villa, CMA, MBA, MSM says
Karen, You are so very right!
Remember, I speak several languages – and in our house we dialog in two languages. With work and clients, I steadily dialog in 3 languages.
Not only does my body language and demeanor in speaking change based on my environment and who I am speaking with (casual vs. professional etc.) but also based on the language I am speaking in as well.
Your C-H-A-N-G-E analysis is right on!
.-= Heather Villa, CMA, MBA, MSM´s last blog ..On NOT bringing products to market =-.
Alex Fayle | Someday Syndrome says
Given that most of the time I’m communicating in my second language rather than my first, I’m so aware of how words don’t have the same meaning for different people – move that across languages and cultures and words sometimes seem completely meaningless and useless. And I’m a writer who’s supposed to know how to use words well!
.-= Alex Fayle | Someday Syndrome´s last blog ..No, I Won’t Talk to You: Why Someday Syndrome Offers Email-Based Coaching =-.
Joanna Young says
Karen, I love your list, particularly the last two. Energy is so important and one of the things I learn most about from you 🙂 If we approach what we do with energy (and love) it is much more likely to come about, plus we’ll feel better about the process too.
I’m also very struck by the importance of gratitude – it seems slightly counter-intuitive when going through a big change, but actually it’s that holding on to the gratitude for what you do have that seems to open up the possibility of new things coming to be.
Except of course that’s not why you’re grateful at all – because what you have is already enough 🙂
So much fun to be doing this dance of possibility and change with you Karen, and learning how we can write our way through it
.-= Joanna Young´s last blog ..Intention and Possibility: Part 2 of a 3 Part Series on the Language of Possibility =-.
Karen Swim says
Robert, isn’t it amazing how powerful language can be, and as writers we have a knowledge of this but still we can get it wrong too! Thanks for sharing your experience!
Robert Hruzek says
Excellent Anagram, Karen!
As to your question, I have most certainly experienced having my own words slam doors in my face! Yeesh; no fun at all!
But I discovered how something called the “sequence or words” can reprogram folks (not in a Borg-like way, mind you!) to remain open to the possibilities I’m trying to tell ’em about. It’s amazing how a few changes in language can make that much difference!
.-= Robert Hruzek´s last blog ..All Entries: What I Learned From Laughter =-.
Barbara Ling, Virtual Coach says
Adding a good dose of empathy if you’re teaching something new also works wonders!
.-= Barbara Ling, Virtual Coach´s last blog ..Today’s Humor – True Love….There She Is! Part 1 =-.