Your Words Shape Your Reality

I dropped only one class in college: Sociology.

I don't know why I couldn't keep up, but it was not looking good. Thankfully the professor pulled me into his office one afternoon to inform me I would not pass the course and would be better off dropping.

Although my career as a sociologist ended early, I'll never forget one lecture on the Sapir–Whorf hypothesis, a principle which states:

The structure of a language affects its speakers' world view or cognition, and thus people's perceptions are relative to their spoken language. (Wikipedia)

Put simply, language shapes perception. 

The original theory focused on different cultures around the world and how their thoughts are influenced by the language of their people. A simple, modern-day example would be the use of titles like like fireman or policeman, which influences the way we view the roles and capabilities of men and women.

The Sapir–Whorf hypothesis (a.k.a. linguistic relativity) isn't only applicable to cultures, but companies as well. When learning about the culture of an organization, observe the language people use to discuss their work and you'll discover everything you need to know about what matters to that particular organization.

Now let's zoom all the way in to you.

The language you use to narrate your life influences the reality you ultimately inhabit.

Thoughts become things. 

Language shapes perception.

Have you thought about the words you use to describe your current challenges, priorities, or station in life?

Is the language you regularly employ helping you see a bigger, more generous world with infinite possibilities for growth?

Or is the story of your life composed of small and scared words focused on scarcity?

Not only do the words you use matter as you narrate your own life experience, but they have absolute influence on the way we perceive who you are, what you do and what you want.

Most of us miss the chance to truly connect with one another or garner support for something we care about because we haven’t taken the time to reflect on the language we should use to describe ourselves and what matters to us.

For example, when someone asks you the question, "So...what do you do?" - how do you respond?

Most people I know hate talking about themselves, but it doesn’t have to hang you up anymore.

I want to teach you how to master your answer to dreaded networking questions, and equip you to talk about who you are, what you do and what you want with confidence and ease in my upcoming virtual workshop:

Telling Your Story: Evolving Past the Elevator Pitch

Wednesday, October 21st | 5:00pm-6:00pm CST

It will be interactive. We will do work. You will leave with language you're proud of.