“Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.”
-Mother Teresa

Our words shape our reality, defining the way we see and experience life. This power, when used with good intentions, can be an instrument of change. Ever notice that when you give a compliment to a colleague, their face lights up? Or when you encourage someone, they perform their job with more confidence?

We can use the power of words to bring about psychological change and act as a source of comfort even during the toughest of times.

The power of affirmations

A positive mind set leads to a healthy body and a fulfilling life. Our thoughts are turned into words that directly shape our subconscious mind. Our conscious reality is conditioned by these thoughts and how we present them. Constantly saying ‘I am not good enough’ is bound to impact your self-esteem. However, changing these words to ‘I am enough’ gives you a sense of fulfilment. It means you have the ability to face the odds and also overcome them, simply through the power of the tongue.

The theory of using self-affirmations popularized by self-help books and experts has been the subject of extensive research. The neuroscience behind this phenomenon is explained by the self-affirmation theory study conducted in 1988 by Claude Steele, a social psychologist. The theory shows that people can maintain their self-confidence simply by speaking positively.

Out of the box thinking

Most of us believe that we can shape our own thoughts. Ultimately, our thoughts are a by-product of the information our brains have already collected and stored. Thinking is a costly activity for the brain and hence it makes decisions about what can be avoided or discarded. Our mind is also susceptible to bias and can be manipulated to function in a certain way based on one of the following two:

  • Observational selection bias: Ever noticed that when something catches your attention you tend to notice it everywhere? This is observational selection bias, or synchronicity. It is when something manages to stand out to us no matter what.
  • Confirmation bias: If we are rooted in a certain belief then we tend to fashion everything around it and look for ways to support it. This tendency is called confirmation bias.

Power of creation

These belief sets play a fundamental role in shaping our everyday life and you can make a positive change to your own life through the power of your words. You have fleeting thoughts that are continuously stored and shape the way you view the world. Using confirmation bias, you can use positive words to talk about yourself and others, helping you to change your view of the world.

If you truly want to be in command of your life, then you can simply bring that change using the right words. When you choose to see the good in yourself, you will act upon the observational bias and will be more focused on your strengths. This will also teach you to be gentle with your weaknesses and address them rather belittling yourself.

‘I am’

Your words have power and the two strongest words in the English dictionary are ‘I am’. When you say, ‘I am strong’ or ‘I am happy’ then you are speaking your own truth into existence.

With this, it is also important that you speak from the heart, bravely and lovingly. Make sure that you choose your words from a place of love instead of a place of anxiety or hate. This will also teach you self-awareness and the art of fashioning your world with positivity and good intent.

Knowing how to constructively use time, energy and words is a trait that is shared by some of the most successful people in the world. Find out how you can pave the way for a great career path with the help of programs offered by University Canada West (UCW).