Your words; benediction or malediction?

Have you ever wondered what the world would be like without ‘words’ ?

Do you desire to use your words to make a difference in your work, business or family?

Have you ever felt that you have  USED UP or UTTERLY SPENT all the words in your word ‘bank account’ ?  Even though millions of people are overworked, overscheduled and overwhelmed, we still have ample words to utilize on a daily basis. The question is; are your words blessings or imprecation?

Words make our world tick. We cannot quantify how much we depend on words. The power of words whether in spoken, written, printed or published on the web is one of the greatest gifts to humans.

Anthropologists define civilization in terms of speech. Psychologists attach importance to early childhood memories based on initial speech development. Sociologists ascribe it to  the success of human relations and interactions.

The power of words is such that can build  or destroy. Starting from the Good Book, there are words with the power to bless, known as benedictions and there are those that bedamn.

Caustic words spoken with the intent to cause harm can ruin your business  relationship. Negative words can leave the receiver battered and knocked down.When you are the originator of any word, you are either justified or condemned by your words.

The receiver on the other hand can be encouraged, motivated, affirmed, comforted and revived.

In making use of words, many people get frustrated. There are those who do not know what to say or how to say it. Those who know what to say may not say it at the right time or in the right place.

For bosses who seldom utter a word of appreciation, be reminded that even though word in itself is not food, it can bring joy and satisfaction. Quality and excellence in the workplace can equally be enhanced by using positive words. We all possess skills and abilities that when put to good use can help us achieve high level of productivity.

Now, how many people have you “fixed” or “disfigured” with your words? For instance, when you tell your employee that he/she is stupid, watch the person deflate like a balloon. Verbal abuse is so devastating that it can maim an individual for life but good words are like good food-nourishing to the body and soothing to the soul.

Every speaker’s goal therefore should be how to use words positively in order to communicate clearly and competently.

Mark Twain asserts that “the difference between the almost right word and the right word is really a large matter. It is the difference between the lightning bug and the lightning”.

Learn how to say what you mean and mean what you say. The commonest roadblock in communication lies in our inability to say what  we mean. Sometimes we are more concerned with what people think about us and how we talk. In a bid to impress or please others, you may coat the message. Eventually, the coating becomes the message. The result is confusion, distortion and misunderstanding.

A precise word, on the other hand saves the day.

On a first interaction with an individual, you can determine how the person visualizes him/herself as well as others; a champion or a chump.

Your words say a lot about you. It shows how you think. It reveals your hidden intention. It shows your true colour and is likely to reflect your occupation. Words determine how people react to you in most circumstances. If you speak with credibility and authority, people will regard you as such.

If your words kill passion, zeal and lower self esteem, you need to make a change. Aim for words that establish goodwill and draw people closer. Such words that can bring calm and connection. Choose words that proclaim vision, hope, serenity and success. That is how to build a wining team in business and otherwise. Your results lie in your words. Winston Churchill affirms that ‘by swallowing evil words unsaid, no one has ever harmed his stomach’.

A word, like a living organism, comes alive, germinates, mutates,migrates, creates impressions, affects emotions and expectations. Therefore let your words work for and not against you. Blaise paschal admonishes thus; ‘Kind words do not cost much. They never blister the tongue or lips. They make other people good-natured. They also produce their own image on men’s soul, and a beautiful image it is’.

CHIAMAKA BOBBY-UMEANO