Words - the most powerful weapon you can use

Over the last couple of days I've been poking my nose into your private lives. I hope you don't mind the intrusion - but I find the only way to break through the procrastination habit is to look at our habits. We can work out what we need to keep to keep functioning at the highest levels and discard those habits and behaviours that do not. Ah easier said than done I know. Which is why I try and "talk" to you every day.
 
Which is a rather radio 2 link to today's topic...words. They are the most powerful tool / weapon we can have in our personal armories. They have the power to destroy, and they have the power to build - and it is entirely up to us which words we use, and how we use them.
 
You see, depending on the tone of your voice, you can make a huge difference to the way the words sound. Try emphasising a different word or words in a sentence, and you will SEE WHAT I MEAN.
 
A couple of years ago I was having dinner with some friends. These friends had also invited some other acquaintances over for dinner, great a chance to meet and interact with some new people I thought. It was interesting when I arrived though (early to help out as is my want) I was warned that one of the people had an interesting choice of vocabulary and they hoped I wouldn't be offended. Forewarned is forearmed and I was able to observe the couple without wondering whether the person had Teurettes Syndrome. Whilst the male was busily using a word repeatedly - I noticed with interest how the female half of the couple then started interjecting the same word into her sentences. Yet on her own, she didn't use the term.
 
Now this is going to be a difficult exercise to do, but I would ask that you try it anyway. I need you to listen to yourself speak during a "normal" conversation. How on earth can you listen to yourself speak? You can - it just needs practice. But don't try and censure what is coming out of your mouth - unless you are totally rude and obnoxious of course, in which case - try and "be nice" as I say to the children.
 
Now and here is another interesting part to today's message. The way that you hold your body also impacts on the words that you use and the way that you speak them. Don't believe me - well try slouching, drop your chin towards your chest and try and explain how you are feeling. No-one has to be there, you can try this one on your own. If your body is "depressed" I can almost guarantee that the words and the tone of your voice will be depressed too.
 
Now - sit or stand up straight. Pull your shoulders back and lift up your chin. Now how do you feel? Explain out loud how your body feels. A hint - you should be feeling far more confident in yourself and your abilities. If not, then rearrange your body until you do.
 
Finally - the last task for today. Take what you have just learned, and observe those people around you - watch the words and the body language, it's fascinating.
 
If you do want to get more out of every day (and you wouldn't be reading this if you didn't) you need to speak and act like you do. If your body is "defeated" then guess what, you will be too. Act confidently and you will speak with confidence.