EP 68: Real Confidence- What’s in a Word?
- EP 68: Real Confidence- What’s in a Word? Alyssa Dver 18:33
Irving Berlin is known for saying “Life is 10 percent what you make it and 90 percent how you take it.” The same could be said for words, although how we take them – their impact on us or others – is probably closer to 100 percent.
Yes, we have dictionary definitions to fall back on, but I believe the true power of words lies in our personal associations with them. Maybe that’s why I spend a good third of my cognitive energy stores on choosing the right ones to speak, write and share.
Because what a particular word means to me, may carry a completely different message for you and lately, I’ve seen this play out again and again.
Words like “kind”, “shameless,” and even my beloved “confidence” can be taken – or received – as a compliment or criticism.
These words – which incidentally, are all words we can think of as ways to describe a person’s character or personality – are highly nuanced. Delivered with or without thoughtfulness, they can be clues or hints as to what rattles or rallies our confidence in the moment.
But when we’re certain enough about our values, needs and wants these trickster words become a little easier to navigate and we’re better able to stay grounded in and own our personal truth. And that kind of “ownership” may be one of the most confident things we do for ourselves and everyone around us.
Listen in as this self-proclaimed word wonk unpacks the labels and phrases that trip me up and what I do to remember that real power – and confidence – comes from within.
