Watch Your Words: How Your Internal Dialogue Shapes Your Success

The Power of Mindful Language

Watch your words!

I did not mean for that to sound aggressive. However, I believe it is one of the most important habits we can develop. We often think about the words we say out loud to be funny or to fit in. But the most important words we ever use are the ones we say to ourselves in our own minds.

I learned long ago that our words carry much more weight than we realize. Even when we use negative tones as a joke, our brain is listening.

Realizing that you cannot always control the thoughts that pop into your head is the first step. The second step is the practice of controlling how you interpret those thoughts and how you share them with the world.

Overcoming "Stinking Thinking" in Real Estate

In the real estate business, it is easy to fall into "stinking thinking." We have all been there before.

• A low appraisal comes in.
• A cooperating agent is being anything but cooperative.
• A deal feels like it is falling apart.

When these things happen, we start telling ourselves negative stories. We begin to spiral. But here is the truth: Spiraling gets you nowhere. It does not fix the appraisal. It will not change the other agent’s attitude. It only holds you back from achieving your own personal greatness.

My Secret Hack: The "Blessing and Release" Technique

When a negative thought or a limiting belief enters my mind, I acknowledge that it is not serving me. I cannot stop the thought from appearing, but I can control my reaction to it.

My personal hack is simple: Bless and Release.

1. Bless the thought: I hear you. I acknowledge that you are there.
2. Release the thought: I am going to let you go because you are not helping me move forward.

By blessing and releasing that negative image or idea, I take back ownership of my day. Sometimes you do need to sit with a situation and think it through. However, most of the noise we encounter is just negativity that needs to be filtered out.

Change Your Words, Change Your World

One of my mentors, Phil M. Jones, says it best: "Change your words, change your world."

This applies to every area of your life.

• Are you being curious? Instead of passing judgment, try to truly understand people.
• Are you cutting off opportunities? When we enter conversations with preconceived ideas about someone, we kill the chance for friendship or collaboration.
• Are you attractive to be around? Gossiping or talking bad about others is not attractive. Being a positive and purposeful human is what draws people into your circle.

Lessons from a Challenging Year

I will be honest. This past year was one of the most challenging of my life. Even through the toughest moments, I did my best to put on a brave face and maintain a positive internal dialogue.

Those positive conversations with myself and my family are exactly what got me through. Today, I feel more alive than I have in a long time. I attribute a huge part of that to watching my words.

Join Your Journey with Jennie

After 25 years in real estate, I have realized that our words are the foundation of our journey. I challenge you to be more mindful today. Watch the words in your mind. Filter the negativity. Remember that your words matter.

How are you choosing to speak to yourself today? Reach out and let us keep growing on this journey together.