Five Days to Empower Your Words for Change

Thoughts are one thing, but the words that come out of our mouths are what determine our destiny. That’s a pretty bold statement (and, yes, I said it out loud 😉). We all have doubts, but when we express them out loud, we release them into the world, and the world does everything it can to make them happen.

You’ve probably heard it called a self-fulfilling prophecy. And it truly is. The good news? This happens just the same with our positive declarations!

I did a similar exercise in my blog about imagination (which is another powerful tool for shaping our future). Let’s take two scenarios and look at the outcome.

Say this with me:

“I’m always late.”

If that’s your go-to phrase, I bet it’s also your reality. But flip the script and start saying out loud:

“I am a punctual person.”
“I respect my time and others’ time.”
“I am always on time.”

Suddenly, you’re making a promise to yourself. And when your actions don’t align—when you sleep in or procrastinate—you’ll notice. You’ll tweak your habits, set your alarm a little earlier, lay out your clothes ahead of time. And you’ll start showing up on time. It’s pretty amazing.

I’m not saying you will never have negative thoughts; I am asking you not to speak them! A mentor of mine says, “If you say it, you pray it!” So ask yourself—do you really want to pray for that negative outcome? Didn’t think so.

This can be described as negative and positive self talk. You cannot talk defeat and expect victory. When the challenge feels impossible (even if it's just getting to school drop-off on time), don’t use your words to describe the problem. Use your words to change it!

Try This for Five Days:

1. Tell the negative voice in your head to take a hike.
   We all have it. And if we let it hang around too long, it finds its way out of our mouth. So when it pipes up—“I don’t deserve to be happy”—shut it down. Replace it with, “I am loved. I deserve joy.” Then move. Take a breath, say a prayer, turn on music, hug yourself. Shift the vibe.
   
   
2. Stop talking about the problem and start talking about the solution. This is a big one. If you dwell on the problem, it grows. But speak the solution? You’ll start becoming it. Instead of “I’ll never get out of debt,” it’s “I am a hard worker who is saving money and getting out of debt.” Say it, say it, say it until you believe it, and then you will do what is necessary to accomplish this goal.
   
   
3. Be thankful for your dreams coming true even before they have. Yes! Just like in point 2, start declaring your gratitude for your accomplished goal. Go from “I wish I could lose weight” to “I’m so thankful I stuck to my plan. I feel strong and energized!” This feeling of gratitude can literally fuel you to make it happen!
   
   
4. Please—stop saying things are “killing you.” This one’s personal. I cringe every time I hear it. Your back hurts? Your child is pushing your buttons? Do not say, “It’s killing me.” Because it’s not. You’re strong. You’re alive. And you’re going to triumph.

I’m excited for you. I am declaring and decreeing that you are going to see a big life shift over the next 5 days as you take control of your mouth and, therefore, take control over your circumstances. And if you fall off the positive wagon, do not beat yourself up! Just say, “I can and will do this” and keep going! That’s literally putting this practice into action.

I am grateful for the book, “Dream It. Pin It. Love It.” by Terri Savelle Foy, where I learned much of what I shared above.