So frequently, when people are asked how they are they respond, “not too bad.” The real question is, what does this even mean? It is such an empty phrase that we use on a daily basis, and frankly just a waste of speech. This phrase is not serving you at all and it needs to be exchanged for something of more substance!
How you communicate and present yourself is so so powerful. It is what forms a pictures of you and distinguishes you and your place in the world. So how come we allow ourselves to use such empty phrases that add nothing to conversation or our lives? This needs to change!
Your words are the foundation for your actions in themselves. Presenting an action on the back of “not too bad” is just crappy. What even does it mean? You’re bad… but not too bad? Not that bad, but still bad. It’s such an incredibly negative phrase! You don’t want to build your actions on the idea that you’re “not too bad.” No! You want to build actions on your strengths, your wisdom, your talent.
So this is a call to action. We have to change this language! When the change of language comes, it ushers in the change of thoughts and beliefs. Even just this small change in how you talk about yourself and how you present yourself can change your mentality. In turn, this will change your actions. You want to put yourself in the best position to succeed, and this is the first step how.
Language, thought, and action are so deeply connected, and it is absolutely foolish that we can treat language so frivolously, using purposeless phrases like this. We need to take that step and shift our words, shift our thoughts, and build a better foundation for our actions one step at a time!