“I choose to”

In 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen R. Covey suggests that our language and choice of words are important for our level of proactivity, or consciousness.

Here follows a couple of examples of reactive language, followed by a more appropriate proactive way to say the same thing.

There’s nothing I can do. – Let’s look at our alternatives.

That’s just the way I am. – I can choose a different approach.

He makes me so mad. – I control my own feelings.

They won’t allow that. – I can create an effective presentation.

I have to do that. – I will choose an appropriate response.

I can’t. – I choose.

I must. – I prefer.

If only. – I will.

So, next time you find yourself saying “I have to clean my apartment,” stop behaving like a victim and say “I choose to clean my apartment (because while I may not enjoy cleaning, I prefer it to having a messy apartment).”

Related posts

• The proactive language challenge