Think before you Write or Speak - Part 2

In the first article we suggested that it is important to: Think before you Write or Speak.

We acknowledged that all things are created twice--first in thought, and then manifested in the physical.

We have an enormously powerful ability to share our thoughts, dreams, and visions. Especially in the medium of writing. It really makes sense to share them from the most empowered point of view that we can.

So, I suggested we rid ourselves of some dis-empowering words--the infamous "(K)nots" that are so prevalent in our society. There are others, such as "try, but, should."

Now for more content to chew on in this "meal of word choice".

If the statement: "There is Power in the Clarity of your Articulation" TM is the first course (see my previous article: Think before you Write or Speak - Part 1)...

Then, the second course is: "There is Power in the Physiology of your Articulation".

Example, how many times have you seen someone say "yes" verbally, but their body language is blatantly saying no--with the shaking of their head back and forth. Are you confused by the mismatch? For me, I will pause and re-frame my question, or ask for clarification of their comment; doing so in a respectful manner.

Ladies and gentleman, your physical articulation is just as important as your verbal articulation. It is important to get both of them on the same wavelength so your empowering message comes through loud and clear.

As a writer, your audience is focused intently on your message. They are engaged with your words and are internalizing the concept. Make sure that when they are reading your work, their physiology is in tune with your message.

If you agree, say "YES" and please nod your head in an acknowledging manner, gently up and down. Nothing dramatic. Just be consistent in your expression of what you are thinking.

And remember: Empowering word choices impact your life; use them to attract the life you want.

Think before you Write or Speak - Part 1

Yes, Virginia, "There is Power in the Clarity of your Articulation" TM

"I heard this from a guy who has a unique perspective on empowering word choice. When you think about his concept of Remember the Ice, it makes a lot of sense." Anonymous

Words are symbols for signs we understand (According to my mentor, Maxie C. Maultsby, Jr., M.D.) and I for one believe him. Empowering word choices lead us to attract the life we want. So with that in mind, it really does make a difference what kind of self talk we are engaged in.

Just something to think about the next time you are contemplating your next fabulous book idea.

Remember, all things are created twice. First in thought, then in the physical. (Stephen Covey, page 99, 7 Habits of Highly Effective People)

That being the case, choose your words from an empowered point of view to get more of what it is you want. Remember, why would you ever want to motivate yourself or anyone else with the opposite of what you want?

In the 1957 World Series, Warren Spahn was one out away from pitching a complete game victory in the pivotal 4th game between the Braves and the Yankees. Elston Howard was the pinch hitter. Two outs, two men on base, in the top of the ninth inning. Braves were ahead 4-1. Spahn's manager called time, came to the mound for a conference, and promptly told Warren, "Whatever you do, don't through him a high outside pitch." YIKES!!! Why would the manager want to motivate Spahn with the opposite of what he wanted? Spahn had "high and outside" as his dominant thought. There was the pitch. Crack. Home run. Tie score. The good news for the Braves: Spahn retired the next batter, and even though the Yankees scored in the top of the tenth, The Braves got a 3-run home from Eddie Matthews to win the game. (They also won the series 4-3!!)

I love writing and speaking from an empowered point of view and knowing that I have eradicated the following words from my vocabulary and speaking and writing......they are only here for identification......

Here they are: not, don't, can't, won't, wouldn't, couldn't, shouldn't.

Watch what happens for you when you eliminate them, you will be pleasantly surprised.

"(K)notty Word" sign

 

Guess How many people went across the bridge when the light was flashing?  We watched the traffic for about an hour and there were a dozen drivers that PROCEEDED

Because that is what the sign said to DO!!

Have a Look

Flaka Cruising

My friend Cornelis deMaijer from Hoogland, The Netherlands is the managing partner of Flaka Cruising.

In October 2008, he found my profile on Ecademy.com and through the information on my website, he realized he had some changes to make on  and in his marketing materials.

His main message used to be:   
Don't forget to book your cruise early.

After being introduced to Remember the Ice, he realized that he had a serious word choice situation. We connected on a skype call in late October after he read the empowering word choice story.  His comment about having "poisonous words" on his site was a strong statement about "(K)notty words".

He had already made the change to what you see on the banner (left).  A simple new statement now graces their brochures and their website.

Remember to book early

Cornelis has truly embraced the concept of empowering word choice.  Oh, yes.  His company experienced a 160%+ increase in business for 2009; and is already ahead of that pace for 2010.

I smile as I just received a tweet from Cornelis saying he has another booking for 2011.  Empowering word choice is a powerful tool.

The Bill of No Rights ... Proofed for Empowering Articulation

One of my favorite things to do is to approach a message with some interesting comments and remove the "nots" to see what is left. In re-framing the message with empowering word choice, you first want to identify the "(K)notty Words"; remove them; say the new statement out loud without the (k)not; see the disempowering comment; then re-frame the message. Really it is pretty easy once you get in the habit of doing it.

The Bill of No Rights is from an email that has circumnavigated the globe, touching all seven continents (yes, even Antarctica), since coming off the keyboard of Lewis Napper in 1993. It was mistakenly credited to Mitchell Kaye, a Georgia State Representative from Marietta. Mr. Napper is a self-described amateur philosopher from Mississippi who ran for a U.S. Senage seat in 2000 as a Libertarian.

The message resonates with folks because it addresses the sense of entitlement that has us shaking our heads in disbelief.  There is nothing in the Bill of Rights that says "the world owes me a living."

Here is the text of his message. My articulation proofing comments follow each Article.

Bill of No Rights

Bill of Opportunity:  Articulation Proofing by Bob Nicoll

Article I:  You do not have the right to a new car, big screen TV, or any other form of wealth.

Article I:  You have the opportunity to earn an income, and allocate that income for a variety of items; like a new car, big screen TV or any other form of wealth. There is no guarantee, just an opportunity.

Article II:  You do not have the right to never be offended. This country is based on freedom, and that means freedom for everyone -- not just you!  You may leave the room, turn the channel, express a different opinion, etc.:  but the world is full of idiots, and probably always will be.

Article II:  You have the opportunity to display respectful elegance: to be respectful of others and yourself, and do it in an elegant, classy way. The same will most likely be returned to you. This country is based on freedom--for everyone. Everyone has the opportunity to treat others with respect.


Article III:  You do not have the right to be free from harm. If you stick a screwdriver in your eye, learn to be more careful; do not expect the tool manufacturer to make you and all your relatives independently wealthy.

Article III:  There is no guarantee that you will be free from harm. Be more careful. If you stick a screwdriver in your eye, take responsibility for your actions. There are no grounds for you to expect the tool manufacturer to be responsible for your actions or to make you and all your relatives independently wealthy.

Article IV:  You do not have the right to free food and housing. Americans are the most charitable people to be found, and will gladly help anyone in need.

Article IV:  There is no guarantee that you will have food and housing. When you demonstrate your initiative to earn an income, you will have the opportunity to provide for yourself and your family.

Article V:  You do not have the right to free health care.

Article V:  You do have the right to seek professional health care and be responsible for the cost of that service.

Article VI:  You do not have the right to physically harm other people. If you kidnap, rape, intentionally maim, or kill someone, don't be surprised if the rest of us want to see you fry in the electric chair.

Article VI:  If you kidnap, rape, intentionally maim, or kill someone; you will be accountable for your actions. You may even be sentenced to death. Think about your actions.

Article VII: You do not have the right to the possessions of others. If you rob, cheat, or coerce away the goods or services of other citizens, don't be surprised if the rest of us get together and lock you away in a place where you still won't have the right to a big screen color TV or a life of leisure.

Article VII:  If you rob, cheat or coerce away the goods or services of other citizens; and get caught, you may find yourself locked away in a place without a big screen color TV or a life of leisure.

Article VIII:  You don't have the right to demand that our children risk their lives in foreign wars to soothe your aching conscience. We hate oppressive governments and won't lift a finger to stop you from going to fight if you'd like. However, we do not enjoy parenting the entire world and do not want to spend so much of our time battling each and every little tyrant with a military uniform and a funny hat.

Article VIII:  As a nation, we have a history of standing for freedom. We strongly dislike oppressive governments and would prefer to focus our energies on taking care of our business at home instead of battling each and every little tyrant with a military uniform and a funny hat.

Article IX:  You don't have the right to a job. Sure, all of us want you all of you to have one, and will gladly help you along in hard times, but we expect you to take advantage of the opportunities of education and vocational training laid before you to make yourself useful.

Article IX:  You have the opportunity to pursue  educational vocational training to give the chance to display your skills either for your employer or yourself as an entrepreneur. Just make yourself useful and contribute.

Article X:  You do not have the right to happiness.  It is not guaranteed to you by the Bill of Rights.

Article X:  Being an American means that you have the right to pursue happiness--which, by the way, is a lot easier if you are unencumbered by an overabundance of idiotic laws created by those of you who were confused by the Bill of Rights.

If you agree, we strongly urge you to forward this to as many people as you can. No, you don't have to, and nothing tragic will befall you should you not forward it. We just think it is about time common sense is allowed to flourish -- call it the age of reason revisited.

Empowering word choice helps clarity the message. If you agree, we strongly urge you to forward this to as many people as you can. There is no requirement to do so, and nothing tragic will befall you if you skip it. We just think it is about time common sense is allowed to flourish -- call it the age of reason revisited.


Thank you for your suggestions Mr. Napper.

How would you Re-Frame this one?

Remember the Ice -- some background on the story.

Remember the Ice is about raising your awareness regarding the use of "(K)notty Words".

Here they are again: Not, Don't, Can't, Won't, Wouldn't, Couldn't, Shouldn't.

The original story, that led to the title of the book, reads as a simple one. Really. Change a sign from negative to positive.

Don't Forget the Ice to Remember the Ice.

Upon further review, it becomes very apparent this is much more than a simple positive message story. And it is so much more. Actually, the story of helping Rick, the manager of the convenience store sell more ice is just the tip of the Iceberg. (And the pun is intended!)

This past July 23rd, Remember the Ice turned 19! Nineteen years of re-framing my written and spoken words to empowering word choice. Hundreds of thousands of times catching myself shifting from a “(K)notty Word” to an empowering alternative.

Since July 23, 1991 @ 10:07 AM, a Tuesday, I have been focused on eradicating the "(K)notty Words" and have been successful. For me, the most empowering words I now use are the Re-Framing Five: Do, Can, Will, Would, Could. The impact of using the new words of choice has played a significant role in the paradigm shifts I have experienced.

And, yes, I would love to hear you got a copy of the book:

• And experienced enhanced relationships because your communication has improved.
• Or, maybe you are in sales and you have experienced a sharp increase because of your new word choice.
• Maybe you just feel better about your self talk.

What ever the case, you have the opportunity to attract more of what you want because you are communicating more effectively.

Empowering Regards,

Bob

There is Power in the Clarity of your Articulation

“There is power in the clarity of your articulation.”
 
Those of you who have picked up a copy of Remember the Ice and Other Paradigm Shifts recognize that statement as the first line of Chapter One.

Repetition is the mother of skill, and to effectively internalize and use the concepts taught in my book, seminars and coaching; you need to remind yourself of some basic fundamentals, over and over again.

Take a moment to stop and really think about the power you have in the clarity of what you say.  Your sense of personal power, confidence, and self-esteem are wrapped up in how well you are able to communicate your thoughts, needs, ideas, and desires.  When you articulate clearly and successfully, everything else falls into place.

Poor word choice is a serious obstacle to clear communication and diminishes your personal power.  Imagine how much more power and confidence you would have in your life if you would consistently get you message across clearly.  How empowering do you think it would be to know that your words influence and inspire, rather than confuse and annoy?  I believe few people actually set out to confuse and annoy others.  I believe most of us want to be clear and make sense.  I believe most people just need to know how to do it.

The good news is that you already have everything you need.  It’s just a matter of understanding the how and why of organizing and using your words, and putting it all into practice.

Remember, “There is power in the clarity of your articulation.”

The messages that started it all...July 23, 1991 @ 10:07AM

Welcome to the "Ice Chips" Blog

Ice Chips are snippets of content compiled from the simple yet far reaching concept of Remember the Ice and Other Paradigm Shifts. As the author and creator of this empowering word choice program, I have been amazed at its simple complexity.

Wait a minute…… simple complexity?

Well, yes.  Remember the Ice is based on a very simple story, and has far reaching impact on the way you articulate your message.  There is Power in the Clarity of your Articulation and Remember the Ice helps you attract the life you want through empowering word choice.

Here is the background story:

In a convenience store on Northern Avenue in Phoenix, AZ, the manager had placed a couple of signs above his cash registers. His intention was to encourage his patrons to buy more ice during the hot desert summer. I lived across the street from this store and came to know him. Rick was working one day as I made a purchase. This time I paused and asked him how his ice sales were going. Perhaps you might think this a strange question. Alas, I am intrigued by words and their juxtapositions as well as the outcomes of behavior.

You see, the signs above the cash registers read: DON’T FORGET THE ICE.

I asked Rick how sales were going. His reply was less than favorable. I paused and asked if I could make a suggestion. I mean, after all, this was Phoenix—in the desert—in the middle of the summer. (110+ degrees in the shade)

“Rick, do you have a couple of pieces of paper and a magic marker?” I inquired. He gave me the items and I quickly made two new signs for him. 

The new signs were: REMEMBER THE ICE.

I left with a knowing smile and purposely stayed away for about three weeks. When I did go back to the store I spoke with Rick about his recent ice sales. “I have ordered three times as much in the last three weeks. Sales are great.”

I smiled and explained what I had done. “If I say to you: Don’t think of the color blue. What color are you thinking of?”

“Why blue of course” he replied.

“Of course.”

Now if I say “don’t forget the ice”, what will you forget?

“Hmmm…the ice.”

“Right.”

Rick's Ice sales increased 500% in 30 days!

Ahhhh.....the power of empowering word choice!