Accentuate the Positive

You've got to accentuate the positive

Eliminate the negative

And latch on to the affirmative

Don't mess with Mister In-Between

-Lyrics by Johnny Mercer (1944)

It’s easy to criticize and be a naysayer. We all do it to some degree. But some years ago I heard a speaker at a conference talk about trying to eliminate negative-speak from our everyday language, and the challenge stuck with me.

Try filtering what you say and replacing negative statements with positive re-wording. Start by raising your own red flag when you begin sentences with words like, “I can’t”, “We shouldn’t”, “Let’s not”, “I don’t think”, “Don’t”, “We won’t”, “You didn’t”, “I don’t like”… Your hackles probably are immediately activated when you hear those words.

Instead of: “I can’t do that.”

Try: “It might be better if I did this.”

Instead of: “We shouldn’t accept that behavior.”
Try: “Let’s see if we can get them to do this.”

Instead of: “I don’t think that's a bad idea.”
Try: “That might be a good idea.”

Instead of: “You didn’t do what I told you to do.”

Try: “Let’s review my expectations again.”

Negative speaking is a hard habit to break.  Using the right words is powerful, and the results are rewarding. Speak (and write) in the affirmative and build more trusting relationships, improve morale, and be seen as a constructive influence in the workplace. Accentuate the positive!