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Jim Now
Contact
Jim Now
The Bad News Eradicator, a continuing Executive Action feature will show you how to avoid non-communication, debates, arguments, anger and contention in your speaking and writing. One of the most powerful strategies I teach is the eradication of negative language, phrases and statements.
If you want to have a truly better life, you need to learn how to eradicate negative language from everything that you do. Each month this section will provide up to two dozen translations of negative phrases, statements and ideas into positive statements ideas and concepts. The fact is, being positive the way we’re talking here, will change your life dramatically and permanently. It’s a personal discipline. Good luck. And welcome to a better life.
For a more complete discussion of the power of positive language, see, “The Ingredients of Leadership.”
Examples of Negatives Translated to Positives
| 1. “I can’t comment on the past . . . I wasn’t there.” | What I can tell you is . . . |
| 2. “I don’t know.” | Here’s what I know . . . |
| 3. “I don’t like that idea.” | Let’s try this . . . |
| 4. “If adequate funds are not available.” | If we need additional funds . . . |
| 5. “Must not be an ineligible corporation.” | Must be an eligible corporation |
| 6. “My failure to act is not to be construed as acquiescence.” | Please wait for me to take or suggest an action before deciding |
| 7. “Neither side is incompatible.” | Both sides seem amendable |
| 8. “No amendment may be made.” | Amendments are prohibited |
| 9. “No increase or decrease is planned.” | The situation will remain the same |
| 10. “No, it wouldn’t be a bad idea.” | There are probably better ideas |
| 11. “No, it’s not wrong.” | There are other ways |
| 12. “No problem.” | Thank you; you’re welcome; my pleasure |
| 13. “Not that again.” | Let’s move on. |
| 14. “Our people would never do that.” | This is what our people would have done |
| 15. “That is not unheard of.” | This has been heard of |
| 16. “That’s not a bad idea.” | That could be a good idea |
| 17. “That’s not to say we can’t do it.” | Here’s what we can do |
| 18. “That’s not true.” | Here’s what’s true . . . |
| 19. “That’s partly untrue.” | That’s only partly true |
| 20. “The company does not expect, nor can it guarantee . . . ” | The company will disclose what it expects, and explicitly state any guarantees. |
| 21. “The journey will not be without some obstacles.” | There will be obstacles during the journey. |
| 22. “There is no reason why we cannot cooperate.” | We can cooperate |
Try your hand at creating your own positive equivalents to these negative statements. Share them with me and I’ll respond.
| 1. “It doesn’t matter that it won’t happen.” | |
| 2. “It doesn’t mean you’re not finished” | |
| 3. “It will not be inexpensive.” | |
| 4. “It’s not necessarily bad.” | |
| 5. “It’s not without limits.” | |
| 6. “It’s virtually impossible to make a mistake.” | |
| 7. “Just because it wasn’t said doesn’t mean…” | |
| 8. “Let’s not kid ourselves.” | |
| 9. “My failure to act is not to be construed as acquiescence.” | |
| 10. “Neither side is incompatible.” | |
| 11. “No one denies it’s true.” | |
| 12. “No problem.” | |
| 13. “No, it wouldn’t be a bad idea.” | |
| 14. “Not for the uninitiated.” | |
| 15. “Not without a struggle.” | |
| 16. “Nothing can discount its value.” | |
| 17. “Nothing less than success.” | |
| 18. “Please don’t hesitate to ask.” | |
| 19. “That’s not a bad idea.” | |
| 20. “There is no right way |
Begin Monitoring and Translating Your Own Negatives Today. Start collecting your negatives daily and do your translations immediately.
It’s one of the key disciplines of leadership.
You can send these to me here and, with your permission, I will add them to our growing list of negative language translations.
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