I’ve always been fascinated by how powerful words can be. One of the very first wellness workshops I offered more than 20 years ago was called, “The Power of Words.” At the time I was not aware of the damage one particular word can cause. It’s a small and seemingly harmless word that holds the power to hinder dreams, delay action, keep us stuck and prevent us from moving forward.
Before we get to that word specifically, let’s first explore the significance of the words we use in our daily thoughts. Each day there is a constant tape of words running through our minds. Our thoughts are the conversations we have with ourselves⸺our self talk. They are the mental tape we play on a regular basis that will propel us forward, or hold us back, preventing us from changing patterns, behaviors, and situations that no longer serve us well. We can’t escape ourselves, so a new job, a new gym, a new town, a new house, or relationship won’t make a difference if we’re still listening to the same tape!
The old childhood rhyme about “sticks and stones” dates back to the 1800’s and is intended to teach children resilience against the hurtful words of others. Sadly, words can wound, embarrass, discourage, belittle, betray, and leave their mark. What happens when those hurtful words that come our way are self-inflicted? How often is your self-talk positive? If your answer is, not often enough, I have some words of encouragement for you. You can give words the power to create a wealth of positive change, by choosing your words wisely which will in turn, change the tape.
Words are impactful. They can be loving and kind. They can heal, comfort, encourage, and induce trust, joy, and laughter. Words can also be reversed simply by turning a negative statement into a positive one. And so it begins. But it’s the consistency of that reversed message that will allow it to replace the former.
If you’re ready to pack a positive punch with your self-talk and get change moving in the right direction, let’s start small, very small, with one little word that in and of itself can derail our best intentions. We don’t think of it as such and likely use it frequently. It seems so insignificant yet it is powerful enough to deceive us into thinking that it’s perfectly acceptable. Simply stated, if you want to be or do anything better, you need to stop trying! Yes, that small but mighty word is “try.”
Its strength actually lies in its weakness. It implies an attempt without a guarantee of follow-through. It is non-committal and downright wishy-washy! As soon as we utter the word we have given ourselves an out. Let’s apply it to wanting to make healthy changes. That’s where the words you use matter more than you think. Saying “I’ll try to eat healthier,” or “I’ll try to exercise more,” signals a lack of commitment and actually leaves room for failure. If you’re serious about transforming your health or other aspects of your well-being, it’s time to remove “try” from your vocabulary and replace it with decisive action.
Saying, “I’ll try to drink more water,” doesn’t carry the same weight as saying, “I will drink more water.” The difference may seem trivial, but your brain picks up on it. It’s a subtle yet common roadblock to success. Imagine telling a friend, “I’ll try to meet you for lunch.” This leaves room for doubt—you might show up, but you might not. Now, if you say, “I will meet you for lunch at noon,” it creates accountability and commitment. The same applies to your health goals. When you commit to something fully, your mindset shifts, and you become more likely to follow through. However, when you allow yourself the option of merely trying, you unconsciously leave the door open for excuses and inconsistency.
When we affirm an action we actually strengthen our own confidence in or ability to succeed! The way you speak to yourself has immense power. By replacing weak language with strong commitments, you shift your mindset, increase your accountability, and set yourself up for success.
So are you going to let a tiny 3-letter word delay or even worse, prevent your goals from becoming a reality? Or will you stand up to it and show it who’s boss by tossing it from your vocabulary? If you’re with me on this, starting today, eliminate “try” from your vocabulary and replace it with action.
