How to Empower Yourself & Others with Words!

How many times a day do you say and/or hear words like, “I should...”, “you should...”, “I have to...”, “you have to...”?

These disempowering phrases are often followed by “...or else”, and often carry the weight of the world. Maybe you find yourself in relationships where the “go to” language often sounds like “you always”, or “you never”. We can unconsciously take these words for granted without considering the implications.

Take a moment while becoming mindful of the energy you experience when confronted by such words. For example, your spouse says, “You should be getting so much more done each day.” “Ugh”, right? What thoughts and/or feelings are triggered? How motivated are you to get more done? Personally, now I am doing nothing! Disempowering language can have profound effects on ourselves, our relationships, and our children and can induce fears and take away power while limiting fullness of joy and potential.

Choose Empowering Language

• Be at a place of CHOICE and avoid “need to”, “should”, and “have to.” Replace with “choose to”, “could”, “willing to”, and “want to”.

• Practice CONFIDENCE and avoid the word “can’t” and “try” Replace with, “I can”, “I will”, “I choose not to”.

• Practice being present and avoid words like “always” & “never”. Shift to “sometimes”, “seldom”, “often”.

There is a lot of evidence showing that negative words and emotions deter from the brains functions, when in fact empowering language fosters the brain into action and has lasting effects in our functioning, level of well-being, and happiness.

By choosing our words wisely, we not only impact the positive effects on our brains, but also inspire ourselves and others toward change, motivation, strength, and confidence while embracing each moment as an opportunity in the land infinite possibilities.

By Marilyn Rose