Word Associations!

"Words are singularly the most powerful force available to humanity. We can choose to use this force constructively with words of encouragement, or destructively using words of despair. Words have energy and power with the ability to help, to heal, to hinder, to hurt, to harm, to humiliate and to humble. Yehuda Berg   The quote seems a little over the top until you think back to your last 5 conversations.  Really, take a moment to review the last 5 human interactions you've had - the place, the time, the circumstances.  Was it a friend, co-worker, spouse or stranger?   The common denominator for each of those interactions is words.   What makes each one of the interactions different is the way the words made you feel.   "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." Maya Angelou     Words are material and tangible versions of peoples thoughts. Our thoughts are electric impulses derived from stimulus given to us from the five physical senses and our emotional state and psyche at the time we speak them. Most of the time, we hold our deepest thoughts to ourselves and filter our words so as not to offend at every turn.  Other times...you get the picture!   Anyone ever caught you at "a bad time"?  The words you speak in that moment might have been totally different 15 minutes ago...or 15 minutes later.  You say them before you have a chance to filter them or think them through.  We all know that words spoken in anger cut deep.    Thankfully, so do words spoken with compassion.   As I have gotten back on the road, I am even more conscious of the words I speak.  Not because I want to be smooth and silky in my presentation to close more sales.  That would be manipulation and is disingenuous and not sustainable.    I am now looking down on the transaction much like a reporter covering a story.  20 years ago, I would have just wanted the sale.  Now I want to understand what creates the Moment of Truth that turns a prospect into a client...a client into a raving fan...a stranger into a friend.   I have known the answer all along but I am now more conscious of it and my part in the interaction.  The "secret" to closing more sales, building better relationships and living a higher level of life?   In a word...words   The next few days I will play a game with you about connecting the dots between words, emotions and the results that bring success...we will play a game of     Word Associations!    Until tomorrow, I wish you Money, Power, Success!