Language is the Key

In everything we do, language is the key to understanding each other, our world, and ourselves. I make a point to listen to how people express problems in their life and it is interesting to be able to listen to their language and understand how they create the problem for themselves at the unconscious level.

Often, a person will think, see, feel or hear a problem as bigger than it really is while at the same time they consciously know the problem is different or at least not really as big as they believe. They might over emphasize the problem or otherwise not represent the problem as it actually is. What comes out in their speech is the unconscious belief of just big or small the problem is.

Try this little exercise... think of something that needs to be cleaned up right now. Ask yourself, how much effort will that take.

Now, think again about what needs to be cleaned up. Think of all the bits and pieces, see yourself with your shoulders slumped and frowning and picking up one thing at a time and say, "I have to clean up this HUGE mess!"

Now - doesn't it seem, at some level, more difficult?

Let's improve the situation now... I want you to bring up a new image of you listening to your favorite music, feeling great and easily cleaning up that mess and feeling SO GOOD about getting it done. Say, "I am getting this tiny mess cleaned up quickly!"

Whew! That's better. Let's just leave it that way.

Begin to pay attention how you describe problems you encounter. Don't deny the problem, just change your language to make it how you want it.