There’s a word
you’ll want to avoid
in conversations, on stage, in your writing and in videos.
It’s one that vastly reduces
the clarity and potency of your message.
What’s the word?
“Thing”
…as well as its variation, “something.”
Yes, yes–there are a few situations
where it might be effective,
but when I’m working with clients
helping them hone their message,
it’s an issue I flag.
Below are a few common examples
you’ll often hear:
- “There are a lot of things we’re working on.”
- “I want to share something important with you today.”
- “Our clients are all talking about the same thing.”
- “A really great thing happened this week.”
How might you make this
language more specific?
Your inclination right now
might be to hit reply and ask me,
but take one minute to find a better
phrase for ONE of the above,
even if you’re inventing a circumstance.
This concentration is what it takes.
Specificity sharpens your message.
Laziness in language
is an indication of laziness in thinking.
Invest the time to be accurate.
Be discerning.
And select potent words.
Doing so will make your message
stand up like iron filings on a magnet.
Risk Forward & Rock On,
P.S. This post is part of a collection on language. You can see the others here:
