“Watch your thoughts. They become words. view your words. They become deeds. view your deeds. They become habits. view your habits. They become character. character is everything”
We all speak with ourselves when we do a task. For some, this inner-narrative is positive and helpful. For others, they can be their own worst critic. but are some words worse than others? In fact, what are Camiseta Inter Milan the three worst words you can say to yourself?
Book Metacognition teacher Workshop
The three Worst Words
When people speak with themselves in extreme terms, it tends to make them much more stressed and feel much more helpless. Indeed, as Obi Wan Kenobi tells Anakin Skywalker, ‘only a Sith deals in absolutes’.
Here are the three many typically used absolute statements that students would be wise to Camiseta Bologna FC 1909 avoid:
Should
Never
Always
Why Are These Words Bad?
Using absolute statements can be seen to be an overly negative way of expressing your thoughts or emotions, as well as being simply inaccurate. The world is hardly ever ‘black or white’. It is much more nuanced than ‘either-or’. shades of grey and multiple options often exist.
Each of these words can inspire negative thoughts, feelings and behaviours. “Should” enhances feeling of guilt or obligation; “never” is likely to result in feeling inadequate, stressed or frustrated; “always” makes you believe that, if something is inevitable, why even try?
“Should” isn’t just any word, it’s a mindset that places ownership on others rather than yourself. Taking personal ownership of a situation allows you to control and/or influence it, rather than leaving it to someone else. research has shown that by taking personal ownership, individuals are able to de-stress and work much more efficiently Camiseta SC Braga in present tasks.
Consider The Alternatives
Philosopher Carl Jung stated that when people talk in absolute terms, it suggests that they think they know an absolute truth. but this unlikely to be true, as a number of random elements impact what is going to happen; this is often referred to as ‘The Butterfly Effect’.
So what words would be better to use?
Instead of ‘should’, say ‘could’
Instead of ‘never’, say ‘often’
Instead of ‘always’, say ‘sometimes’
Final Thought
Talking in absolutes can result in ‘learned helplessness’, which is when people give up without trying as they don’t believe their efforts will make any difference to the outcome. the words we say to ourselves are powerful. teaching students how to better speak with themselves will help them develop their metacognitive and self-regulation strategies. In short, it is a gift that will keep on giving long after they leave school.