Today I wrote to someone I haven’t heard back from in a long time. I was frightened by his response to my request for just a nod (a return email, 5 minutes on the phone…).
“I’m slammed” he said. “Picked up some new responsibilities that are just killing me.”
Ouch. That frightened me. So I wrote back.
“Watch that language or it will kill you. You’re challenged and you’re capable and you are resilient. You’re a pro and you’ll know just what to do to get the job done. I don’t want you dying on me, we haven’t met yet. Remember – the body hears everything you say. Breathe – deeply”
I didn’t know anything else to say. I haven’t heard back and hope he’s not upset.
I’m sensitive to language. If someone says “This cheesecake is to die for!” I truly worry about them. Because I know that the body listens. Why program it to die from cheesecake?
I know, I know. Most people think I’m nuts.
I’m not.
When I tell myself I can, I can,. When I tell myself I can’t, I can’t. You can see it in a 4 year old.
“Slammed” is such a violent word. I now it because I used to use it – along with “crash burn deadlines” and “crazy, busy, nuts.” Language has a way of framing our reality.
Look, I’m as stressed as the rest. My goal is to tell myself a story that feels more empowering, more manageable and more in alignment with the capable adult I’ve become. Positive self-talk is an important part of my teaching. (You can read more about that if you go to www.MotivationMadeEasy.com ) For fun, I developed a whole positive language around caring for customers.
The people who use it – love it. While I was at the Customers First conference several people approached me to tell me they subscribe and get their dose of positive self talk every Monday morning and love it. I was beaming. There’s nothing that makes me feel better than to think that my thoughts are making a difference. (Okay, I’m blushing…)
