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Words that Discourage or Encourage? Part One I am often reminded of a short, but valuable story I read years ago that goes as follows: ‘THE POWER OF WORDS’ by Author Unkown A group of frogs were traveling through the woods, and two of them fell into a deep pit. All the other frogs gathered around the pit. When they saw how deep the pit was, they told the two frogs that they were as good as dead. The two frogs ignored the comments and tried to jump up out of the pit with all of their might. The other frogs kept telling them to stop, that they were as good as dead. Finally, one of the frogs took heed to what the other frogs were saying and gave up. He fell down and died. The other frog continued to jump as hard as he could. Once again, the crowd of frogs yelled at him to stop the pain and just die. He jumped even harder and finally made it out. When he got out, the other frogs said, "Did you not hear us?" The frog explained to them that he was deaf. He thought they were encouraging him the entire time. This story gives us thoughts to think about: 1. An encouraging word to someone who is down can encourage them to achieve their goal. 2. A destructive word to someone who is down can have negative effects. Be careful of what you say. The quote below is by Master Mark Russell ( www.markrussell.net ). His quote describes "words" very accurately: "Words:
Are your words encouraging? The above story and statement are part of what makes or breaks any organization. Whether you have a small business, large corporation, club, church, or any other function that meets with more than one person (also keep in mind the very words we say to ourselves are also harmful or helpful), what you say or do not say and how and when you say it is extremely important. One such example is the work place, your typical nine to five job or the business you strive so hard to keep running smoothly. It is always a bad thing when your employees and or co-workers are not flowing as a ‘team’, when one person is not around to hear what is being said about them, but the conversation about them is less than desired. …did you hear what ___________ did”… or …“I can not believe that ___________ did not do this”… or …”_________ said this”… . STOP STOP STOP STOP STOP STOP STOP STOP STOP Listen to yourself, what and or how would you feel and or react if you knew that others were chatting like this about you when you are not around? Of course you may be like some and say …”oh, those are only words and they do not matter”… . You may state that …“what others say is not important to and with you”… . May I suggest, what is said does matter! Guaranteed for most people, though they say …“it is no big deal, words are just words”… . This is a flippant statement to cover-up their ‘hurt’. One of the oldest techniques for destroying any organized military is to get the troops in disarray, one such successful tactic is to get rid of the general. You see if you have an issue with your boss and or owner of the organization you work with or for you should go to them in private and on a personal level. DO NOT bad mouth your ‘general’ (boss/owner), to other employees, this knocks him/her down in the respect level that should be in place (not as a tyrant, but as a manager/owner). Bad mouthing your boss or a fellow employee(s) is like a cancer, it begins small and then if not treated it will grow and grow until it has over taken it’s host body (your place of employment / business). Note: I have a rule that those who associate with me know and they know it well and to be true-no exceptions! I will not talk bad about anyone, nor will I listen to anyone talk bad about someone! Sure like most people, a ‘good juicy story’ is very, very tempting to indulge in, but to stop, say no and walk away is so much better. You feel great later when you see the person(s) that were being bad mouthed, with the knowledge that you stood firm and did not take part in their verbal slaughter..you can look them straight in the eye and feel great about doing it.
This article was posted on March 20, 2006
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