Overlooked Words That We Should Use More Often

I am a firm believer in the power of words. The things we say can hurt people, make them feel worthless, raise their spirits, motivate them and even help them see the world differently. I spend a good amount of time reading articles online and I am constantly amazed at the things people say. When they read an article about something they find offensive, some people have no problem commenting that the particular person or author should be “taken out and crucified on the street.”.

Although I realize that they can't possibly be serious, those words are still out there. These words could have a great impact on the writer or the person in the article but they also have a huge influence on the person who said them. Words have much more power to influence both ourselves and the people around us than we want to give them credit for. So, it stands to reason that if negative words can have a negative affect, positive words can have a positive affect as well. So, if you want to make a change in your life, land a new job, improve your relationships or be an effective manager, take a moment to think about the words you chose.

Sometimes it is the smallest of words that can make all of the difference. They have the ability to encourage, lead, make people feel important, make them feel good and they set a great example of positivity.

Here are some overlooked words that we could all stand to use a bit more often:

• Thank you – We learned it as children, but often forget it as adults. Openly expressing gratitude for the people and the tasks we take for granted can change our outlook and make others feel appreciated.
  
  
• I forgive you – When people say they are sorry, it is easy to say “Don't do it again.”, but try giving them verbal affirmation that you forgive them. Apologizing is hard, and accepting an apology gracefully is just as difficult.
  
  
• You can do it – I have a friend that I call each week when I am feeling the pressure of my deadline just so that she can say “You can do it” in a mock-Rob Schneider voice. A little encouragement can go a long way.
  
  
• I was wrong – These words are so powerful. In your personal relationships as well as your professional ones, being able to stop defending yourself and just say that you were wrong is hard. But, when you admit it, it frees up energy that can be devoted to repairing the damage.
  
  
• I admire you – If there is someone you look up to, let them know that you admire them. They may be trudging along just like you, and it might not ever occur to them that someone respects what they do.
  
  
• Good job – Everyone likes a pat on the back. Unfortunately, they are easy to forget about.
  
  
• I'm sorry – There is nothing like a heartfelt apology.
  
  
• I understand – If you are being given complicated directions from your boss or your partner is telling you how they feel, let them know verbally that you understand what they are saying. You will be giving them the gift of being heard.
  
  
• You're important – Everyone wants and needs to feel valued. Let the people who are important to you know how you feel.

Try using these words more often for a week and see if you start to notice a change in the people you interact with and in yourself. Keep in mind that other people aren't mind readers, so even if this list seems like things that should go without saying, they won't know unless you actually say it.

By Melissa Kennedy- Melissa is a 9 year blog veteran and a freelance writer for PhillyJobsBlog, along with helping others find the job of their dreams, she enjoys computer geekery, raising a teenager, supporting her local library, writing about herself in the third person and working on her next novel.