The Power of Language

by Cat Thompson, Experience Life

Language. It's the preferred method of communication in our culture — the fuel we use to empower our desires, and to direct and align our energy. Language has immense power, and its impact depends entirely on how we wield it.

Because words are so often used automatically and unconsciously, we have learned to treat them lightly. In daily conversation, we speak the majority of our words from habit, convenience and social obligation rather than from clear intent.

If we realized the potential that language has to create and transform our lives, we would pay a great deal more attention to our utterances. We'd be as determined to get our language "in shape" as we are to master and hone our bodies.

Whether or not we realize it, we are constantly using language to evolve our ideas and beliefs into concrete reality. By becoming more aware of the impact and power of language, we can make more conscious, insightful choices about how we express ourselves and how we interpret others. Consider, for example . . .

The Power of "I"

"I" is a super-charged word. When you say, "I am," the words that follow speak volumes — to yourself and others — about how you define yourself.

"I have, I choose, I love, I enjoy, I can, I will" are also words of strong intent. When we feel powerful, we naturally employ these kinds of "I" statements. When we feel less powerful or fear that our power will create conflict, we tend to water down our words, either by avoiding "I," by saying "I don't know" or "I am not sure," or by following "I" with other ambivalent, unclear statements.

"I think I can," for example, doesn't have much power compared with "I know I can" or "I can" or "I will." Neither does "I guess so" — a red flag to your listener that even if you agree to something, your heart will not be in it. "I can't" is a strong statement of victimization, implying that circumstances outside of your control are running things, and you have no power to change them.

Another common phrase — "I want" — tends to distance us from the things we yearn for rather than bringing them closer. "Want" means "to desire without having." So, by establishing ourselves in a state of "want," we set ourselves up to forever pine for something we accept as out of reach.

Substituting "I have" for "I want" is a good way of projecting ourselves mentally into the realm of having and can also make us aware of all the unconscious reasons why we do not yet have the thing we are wanting. Practice using "I have" or "I choose" instead of "I want" and see what kinds of reactions you observe in yourself.

Manipulation and Coercion

So much of the way we present our ideas has to do with what we expect in return. If we are afraid our idea or request will be rejected, we may use language that is confusing and indirect. In this way, we have a chance of "snaring" someone into agreeing they don't quite understand.

For example, rather than saying "I would like some help organizing my studio on Saturday — would you be willing to help me?" we might say, "What are you doing on Saturday?" After finding out our listener isn't busy, we might sigh, "I just feel so overwhelmed by my life these days. I have so much to do and not time to do it, and I am just sick of struggling to do everything by myself."

Eager to stop this flow of despair, our friends may "offer" to help, yet some part of them may be resentful that they were not presented a clear request and the opportunity to make a straightforward choice.

Using language to manipulate is costly in terms of energy. Using direct and honest language frees up that energy to be more playful and present with those you love. Practice asking for what you need in a more direct manner. You may be surprised at the level of fun and enthusiasm that returns to your relationships.

Vagueness and Ambivalence

When we utter committed and direct statements, we know we will be expected to follow through on them. So we sometimes devise very subtle ways of sending messages about whether we are really willing to do what we say, or whether our listener can expect us to bail out of our agreements.

"I'll try" is a perfect example. If I tell someone "I'll try," I may be subtly sending the message that I have given myself a choice about completion, or that it won't be my fault if I don't get it done. Essentially, this phrase tells your listener that you are giving yourself permission to fail. It may also be a covert way of guilt-tripping your listener into accepting a less-than-wholehearted commitment or an eventual refusal.

"I'll try" can also be designed to let someone know you have the power to either withhold your consent of "graciously" bestow it. "I'll try" may come out when we are looking for recognition that we consent to share our precious energy and time, and that our effort is worthy of appreciation. It may also signal that we are overwhelmed but still willing to make room for the request.

On the other hand, in some cases "I'll try" is fair warning that a person will not try. So how can we tell what someone means when they say "I'll try" or "I guess" (or that mother of all ambivalencies: "whatever")? Words and phrases mean different things to different people. Depending on our own filters and circumstances, we may hear any of these words as eager, open, resentful or downright hostile, and in fact their intent can vary enormously from speaker to speaker.

When in doubt, your best option is to ask for clarification. You can also try the "active listening method," in which you play back to the speaker what you've interpreted from her communication, even if that understanding is vague: "So what I hear you saying is that you may not make it on Monday." Whether she corrects or confirms your impression, you have a better idea of where she stands.

If you find yourself speaking with vague and general language, take a moment to ask yourself how you can get your message across simply, directly and with conviction. If you are afraid of offending someone or appearing hard or challenging, you may be unconsciously diffusing your words to be more acceptable to others. Do some soul-searching to assess whether your need to be accepted is overriding your ability to own your ideas and assert your own power.

Verbal Runoff

Generally, the more words you use to say something, the less power those words have. Feel the difference between a 12-word sentence and a five-word sentence. Practice using as few words as possible to get your message across. People who ramble, or who just like to hear themselves speak, get boring very quickly. If you find yourself in a conversational lull or realize you have nothing to say, graciously accept the silence, simply listening to it and to whatever comes next.

As you become more comfortable with silence, more comfortable being powerful and more conscious of your word choices, your language will reflect your increased conviction and commitment. When you no longer waste words by using them as "filler," the words you do speak will have more power behind them. Be willing to speak your desired outcomes and state what is true to you. You will quickly discover what a powerful and transformative ally language can be.