"I don't think so..."
"I don't think, so..."
Look at the two phrases above.
So simple, yet a very different meaning is portrayed.
Language is one of those things often misunderstood today. We focus all too often on using big words and sounding fancy, yet most can't write a simple email to save their life.
When it comes to what you say, there are several things to consider:
1. Interpretation
You may think that someone will think just like you, but they're not you. For example, you might enjoy using metaphors or you try getting technical to use big words because you think it'll make you sound 'wise'.
Let's be realistic: The majority of the population is not a poetry major, nor are they all-knowing of technical fields. The failure to consider your audience here is a big one, and your frustration with getting them to understand your message has nothing to do with their naivety, but instead your failure to understand your audience. How do we understand our audience? What are the best methods of getting our point across? Here is a few things to consider.
A. Tell a story
People love stories. At the same times, most people don't want to try and comprehend an intrinsic message wound into the story. Keep the message simple, and the story's vocabulary simple. People will resonate with that
B. Leverage the analogy
Analogies become very useful when you're trying to explain a topic the audience isn't familiar with. Things like AI, mathematical formulae, and epigenetics are not subjects the average Joe Schmoe understands, nor do they care to. The only time they want to understand it ENOUGH is when it affects them in some way. Which leads me to my third point...
C. Make the message resonate
You need to get the audience feeling for you. So, it's as simple as tying some experience in that they can relate to, no matter how simple this experience may be. Starting your first job, conducting home improvement on the new house, the feeling you get when you can't fit in those oversized clothes you have because you lost so much weight, etc.
D. Say a little, but mean a lot
Have you ever talked to someone who says so much but doesn't really seem to get to the point until 20 minutes later? Yeah, you know who I'm talking about.
I especially see this in meetings. Meetings about meetings about meetings. Here's the problem with this: being concise in what you say helps you to be perceived as a strong speaker. People lose respect for the guy who they feel is a time vampire. They will avoid you. Not only that, they often get lost in translation because you have so much fluff in your message. Be concise. Get to the point. Move on.
2. Feeling in Words
This point will be used to build upon the third point, so pay attention to this one.
What kind of words are you using to talk to someone? How do you say it? Are you beaming? Hostile? Indifferent? Excited?
"I really enjoyed going to the park today!" is not sufficiently convincing. If you don't say it with meaning, people can't take you seriously. You need to sound authentic. Not robotic. Not half-commited.
"The park wasn't too bad." Ok, you sound a bit less optimistic in dialog, but maybe you sound content in your tonality. The same dialog could have the same impression the above one does.
Speak with Intent and congruency. Do you actually enjoy the park? Was it that great? Then say so with the proper dialog, energy, and posture. Without a sense of congruency, people lose trust in what you say at an unconscious level.
3. Self Declaration and Speaking your Will into Existence
This builds off of the previous point, and is THE MOST important part of this post.
What you SPEAK into existence, alongside your bodily expression when speaking said thing into existence, is absolutely paramount in how you WILL go about life.
What happens when you say something like:
"I have to go to work" with a pessimistic bodily expression shows you what you think about how you see work.
"I'm annoyed"
"I'm complacent"
"I'd rather be doing something else"
Ok, fair enough. Who will pay the bills then? Who will put the food on the table?
How well do you do your work? Probably "just good enough".
Your genetics have marginal effects on how you perform, although they do play a part. Your self declarations and how you SEE work have the greatest effect on how you conduct work.
On what companies you end up at.
At what awards you earn at work.
Now, reframe that phrase to:
"I GET to go to work."
Say it with MEANING, authenticity, and with POWER.
Ten times.
Twenty times.
Fifty times.
Take ten deep breaths.
Then go to work.
How is your productivity affected? How much more did you accomplish? How much more CONTENT are you with that day's work?
Now take that concept, and apply it to every part of your life.
What kind of character do you want to rebuild yourself into?
Instead of saying "That's good enough for me", ask yourself how you could've improved it for the next time around.
Instead of saying "I did my fifty pushups for the day", instead say "I ONLY did fifty pushups today". You then feel more obligated to push that boundary.
Reframe your attitude of how you see the things that give back to you. Of how you measure success. Of how you see hardship.
Instead of saying "It was really hard.", say "It was a challenge, but I'm ready for the next level".
What does this do for you?
It levels you up QUICKLY.
It helps you identify those who should be avoided (The energy vampires, as some like to call them).
It helps you to be happy with what you have but never be CONTENT.
That's all for now folks.
Until next time.
Anthony
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