From the time we were babies, words have been the biggest tool to form the way we think, feel, and act. If you’re looking to make a change in your life, re-teaching yourself words that encourage positive thinking can alter your life for the best.

Here’s how words make an impact on who you are:

Your Perception

The vocabulary you use in your daily life speaks to the way you perceive both yourself and the world around you.

Our self-esteem is made up of the words we say aloud and in our heads. For example, calling yourself ugly or a loser does nothing to improve these perceived flaws. Instead, it’s better to use positive words that allow you to grow above the negativity.

Practice these five words to improve your perception:

I am proud of myself for _____.

I am brilliant.

My life makes a positive impact.

I love my life and those in it.

I deserve to be happy.

The Way You Respond

The tongue is a tool that can be used to spark a fire or put out the flame. Using words that are regularly hurtful, dubious, or ignorant show a need to retrain the way you respond to stressful circumstances or conflicts.

The way you handle difficult conversations with friends or coworkers could be the thread that unwinds your most valued relationships.

Avoid this from happening by trading in these words for your old, painful ones:

Sorry, I wasn’t clear about my expectations.

What can I do to support you?

That was my misunderstanding.

I understand what you’re saying. You mean ____.

Here’s what I’ll do to fix ____.

How You Affect The World

Words are the catalyst for your actions. If you tell yourself you can’t do something, you’ve automatically halted your brain from untangling the problem you believe is stopping your accomplishments.

That dream you have will forever stay sleeping if you don’t use positive words that will encourage you to get ahead.

Try using these words to push yourself forward:

By the end of today, I will complete “XYZ.”

I always find a solution.

This is the best way to organize/schedule ____.

Nothing can stop me from success.

My small steps keep moving me closer.

Remember… your choice of words is just the first big step! The next one is how you choose to say them. If you internalize the positive words in your life, there will be no stopping your prosperity.

Now’s the time.