Words Matter: Your Language Shapes Your Mindset (and your To-Do List)

Let’s talk about the words and phrases that run through your mind all day long, quietly influencing your energy, your confidence and even your productivity.

I'm talking about the words and phrases you use when:

• you talk to yourself
• you talk to others about yourself

Real talk: the way you describe your reality- becomes your reality.

"What you think about, you bring about." -Bob Proctor

Powerful stuff, right?

Ever catch yourself saying things like:

• “There's never enough time in one day.”
• “I’m so behind.”
• “I can't ever seem to catch up.”
• “I’m always putting out fires.”
• “Sorry, I’m such a mess right now.”

These phrases may seem harmless, but over time, disempowering language chips away at your confidence, drains your energy, becomes a dark cloud over your clarity and significantly decreases your productivity.

Deeper beneath the surface, disempowering language becomes a unconscious narrative that repeatedly tells you "I'm failing, incapable, stuck."

But what if you’re not failing, incapable or stuck?

What if you’ve just been running on an unconscious narrative of disempowering language?

If the language you use shapes how you feel, and how you feel shapes how you act, then why not choose good-feeling language?

(simple statement, but it's a BIG one. you might wanna read that again.)

When you use language that empowers you, you move through your day with more clarity, conviction, confidence and faith.

• Clarity about what matters most and what you want most
• Conviction about who you are and who you want and need to be
• Confidence about what actions will help you get closer to the business and life you want
• Faith about WHO you know yourself to be- your skills, strengths and capabilities.

And living life this way feels really, really good! 

Swap These Disempowering Phrases:

• “I have to…”
• “I can’t…”
• “I’m overwhelmed.”
• “This is hard.”
• “I’m terrible at…”
• “I should…”
• "I don’t have time.”

Try These Empowering Reframes Instead:

• “I choose to…”
• "I get to..."
• “I’m learning how to…”
• “I’m prioritizing what matters most, to me, right now.”
• “I am totally capable of figuring this out.”
• “Inch by inch, it's a cinch.”
• "Time is expanding " (my personal favorite)
• “There's more than enough time to do everything I want.”
• “All is well, all will be well.”
• "This is temporary. Change is coming."

There are so many options for you to play with, this is only the tip of the iceberg! 

The easiest way to tell if language is empowering is- it feels good (or at least better).

The easiest way to tell if language is disempowering is- it doesn't feel good (at all).

A nuance to note:

When you shift your language to a more supportive, empowering, better-feeling tone- make sure you believe what you're saying is true.

• If you don't believe it, you're slapping a positive affirmation over deeply rooted limiting beliefs that will continue to show up and sabotage your progress. So, start with new words and phrases you believe.
  • for example: if you don't believe "I'm totally capable of figuring this out," Try "I'm learning more and becoming more capable every day" or "I'm willing to try and learn."
• If you do believe it, your old language will fizzle away and the empowering language will become your new normal, with ease and inspiration (without effort or struggle).

Shifting your language is an opportunity to become more purposeful, intentional, awake and conscious, because the words and phrases you use, become your beliefs, influence your behaviors and eventually, directly contribute to your outcomes.

If upgrading your language is something you want to try (or need to do), simply start by noticing the little phrases that pop up in your thoughts or conversations (with yourself and with others).

When you catch yourself using a disempowering word or phrase, PAUSE. Then, laugh at yourself for being so silly (laughter is good-feeling medicine). Then, consciously choose an empowering word or phrase.

The shift might feel subtle at first. But stay committed and the impact is huge.

How does empowering language impact your mindset?

• Boosts Confidence: Replacing self-deprecating, disempowering language with intentional, empowering language helps you believe in your ability to learn, grow and lead- even when aspects of your business and/or life are in the process of changing.
• Reduces Negative Self-Talk: Empowering words interrupt those sneaky inner critics and reframe challenges as opportunities to grow and develop your sense of discernment.
• Builds Emotional Resilience: When you speak to yourself with strength and grace, it’s easier to bounce back from setbacks and stay grounded in the face of stress and overwhelm.
• Strengthens Identity: Language shapes WHO you believe yourself to be. Speaking about yourself, as if you're already the business owner, leader and human you want to be, helps you become that version of yourself faster!

How does empowering language impact your productivity?

• Clarifies Focus: Empowered language cuts through mental clutter. Saying “I choose to work on this” is way more energizing and inspiring than saying “I have so much to do.”
• Increases Motivation: Shifting from “I have to” to “I get to” connects your actions to purpose, which drives momentum and accountability from an internally motivated source.
• Improves Time Management: Saying “I’m prioritizing this today” trains your brain to think in terms of strategy, not urgency- which leads to better decisions about how you spend your time.
• Decreases Procrastination: Empowering word and phrases reduce overwhelm and reframe tasks as manageable, making it easier to start and keep going (instead of avoiding or spiraling).

A Challenge:

If you want some actionable steps to transform your language, empower your mindset and BOOST your productivity, here's a challenge for you to try, starting TODAY!

1. Set aside 20 minutes.
2. Grab a sheet of paper.
3. On the left side of the paper, make a list of all the disempowering words and phrases you have a habit of using.
4. On the right side of the paper, write an empowering and believable re-frame that counters the disempowering words and phrases.
5. Each week, choose one word or phrase you’re ready to upgrade and practice using its empowering version all week long.
6. Track your progress on a chart that's posted in a place that's visible to you every day, multiple times a day. (visually reminding you of your intentions)
7. Reflect at the end of the week and celebrate your WINS!
8. Begin a new week, repeating steps 5 through 8- choosing a new word or phrase to upgrade, tracking your progress, reflecting and repeating. (i love a good system, don't you?)

If you need support working through any limiting beliefs that are holding you back from embracing more empowering language, I'm here to help!

• Follow this link to schedule a 60 minute Complimentary Discovery Call online.

Whatever you choose to do with all this goodness, remember-

Small shifts. Consistent action. Big results. That’s how you grow.