Powerless Words

Okay, so I don't want you to think that because of the title, this is going to be a depressing or negative blog. There maybe some non-positive (as I'd like to call it) thoughts here, but they are only being expressed to work towards a more positive outlook.

In middle school, we were required to take a class called "Responsibility Class". Yes, I am dead serious. The class was about teaching us core values like (you guessed it...) responsibility, as well as respect, dedication, motivation, etc. During this class we were introduced to "Powerless Words". These are words that are, essentially, powerless. Remember, I'm just getting back into my writing groove, so don't judge me because I'm not doing very well finding a way to describe these words. Describing words with other words can be difficult - really. Okay, so moving on, I had to Google "Powerless Words" to see the list again. I remembered most of them, but I wanted to make sure I included them all. Here are the powerless words... If, Wish, Want, Can't, Try, Think, But. Of course what makes them powerless is the context in which they are used. If you say "I can't make that meeting because I have a doctor's appointment", it's not necessarily powerless, however they do suggest you say "I won't be at the meeting because I have a doctor's appointment".

I am going to do my best here to describe why these words are powerless; bear with me, I did take the class ten years ago. If is a powerless word because of those wonderful "if statements", such as "If I was thinner, I would be happier". While this very well may be true, that statement alone does nothing. It is powerless. Instead, I should be saying "I am going to be happier when I'm thinner". This sentence gives the idea that I am going to be thin, no matter what, not that I may be some day. Hence, the sentence is more powerful. We'll stick with the "thinner" motive here because it demonstrates the powerless words oh so well. Look below...

*"If I was thinner, I'd be happier" - I already explained this so I won't go into details.
*"I wish I was thinner" - Well, I can wish I was thinner all I want, but I won't get any thinner! Therefore, a powerless sentence.
*"I want to be thinner" - This is pretty much the same concept as "Wish". I should say for both "wish" and "want" instead "I will be thinner", making it an active, powerful, and motivating sentence, rather than powerless.
*"I can't lose weight" - Okay, so you may say, some people have medical issues and they really "can't" lose weight. Well, in this case, it should be "I'm not able to lose weight", this shows that it is not a matter of will power but rather a physical obstacle. If it's just will power, you should be saying you CAN lose weight! : )
*"I'm trying to lose weight" - Well, you either are, or you aren't. You are losing weight, or you aren't. You can try all you want, but until you actually DO something, it's powerless. (Side note: I hated this as a powerless word. Trying something can be extremely powerful. While I can see where they are coming from with "try" with the concept "you either do or you don't, there's no 'trying'", I don't totally agree that it is powerless. For example, in dance, when I see a little girl really trying to do a pirouette, but it's just not happening yet, I commend her for it - even if there is a girl who IS doing a pirouette, that doesn't mean she's putting forth more effort than that poor girl who is trying to do it so hard. So, yes, it can be a powerless word when you say "I'll try to do that" but when it is tied with true and honest effort, I don't believe it is powerless).
*"I think I can lose weight" - Okay, so you think you can? Why don't you KNOW you can? That's the concept of this. So, the little engine that could should have been saying "I know I can" instead of "I think I can"; since, essentially, "knowing" is more powerful than "thinking"... However, this is one that really depends on context. Obviously, the verb "thinking" is anything but powerless!
*"I was going to work out, but I got tired" - But is a powerless word because it usually leads to an excuse or rationalization. I think most people already knew this one was powerless hence the "No but-s about it" saying.

Now that you're all caught up on the powerless words lesson, I can move on to the main event. There is one word that is left out of this list that for me is especially powerless... This word is "should". This is because so many times I tell myself I should do something. Yet, I never do it. I suppose "could" could also be included. (Side note: The word could is spelled so strangely. It looks so weird when you actually write it out.) Anyway, lately these are a few of my "should (and shouldn't) statements"...

*I should work out.
*I should lose weight.
*I should record my calories every day.
*I should make a to-do list.
*I should do my laundry more often.
*I should do the dishes more often.
*I shouldn't get so emotional.
*I shouldn't have this strong of feelings.
*I shouldn't eat so much.
*I shouldn't procrastinate so much.

Okay, so I'm getting down on myself just typing those, which is why I think... no wait, I KNOW that should is a powerless word. I does nothing but make me feel like I'm doing something wrong (or not doing something right). And while those feelings may be beneficial in some sort of motivational sense, they're not to me. They just start the "pity party parade", as I like to call it. Replacing "should" and "shouldn't" with "will" and "won't" is so much more powerful.

Thank you for hanging around to the end of this post... I know it's a long one! So, in summary, powerless words do nothing (hence the name...). I won't try, wish, or want... I will DO! I won't think I can't, because I KNOW I CAN! No if's, and's, or but's about it! I think that sums it up. The road to optimism, happiness, and a better outlook on life is built with power and conviction, so I'm going to be less passive and more active - and avoid those "powerless words" at all costs.

Thanks!