What we say and how we say it can have a profound impact on everyone within earshot. That impact can be profoundly good, uplifting the person intended, giving them strength, guidance and support. On the other hand the words chosen can have a profoundly detrimental affect, causing upset, destroying confidence, tearing apart self esteem.
The key word here is choice. We all have the capacity to consider what we are about to say next. We all have the opportunity to choose our words. We can temporarily rob ourselves of that capacity and opportunity by allowing our negative emotions to seize control. Such failures are inevitable. It’s when we find ourselves overwhelmed by negativity, negative thoughts and expressions, that we must recognise that a problem exists and, in recognising the problem, work on strategies to eliminate it.
And while words have great power in and of themselves, the way those words are put together and then delivered can alter their intent, delivering an unintended message. Something said in a calm, clear and sympathetic voice can be heard entirely differently to that same something delivered in a strident, angry, aggressive tone.
We have sole accountability for the words that come out of our mouths and the way we express ourselves. That means we have an enormous responsibility for the way in which we choose to communicate. We are categorised according to the way we communicate. Those who hear us – even in passing – will make a judgement on our personality. First impressions can be lasting impressions.
If we think about the words we a choosing and take the time to listen to how we are putting them together and how we are presenting them we are making a conscious effort towards becoming the best possible version of ourselves.
The rule of thumb is as old as it is simple…speak as we would like to be spoken to.
Gary Bentley Counselling 