Clichés to Question

Have you ever been in a setting where someone has shared a cliché, and it sounded as if it were the definitive solution? Even to you, at first? Think of the term "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." While it's one perspective, could it also be a way to avoid continuous improvement? It's something to consider.

The next time you hear or speak a cliché, consider pausing and ask yourself: 'Is this truly something of value, or are they simply words that have been repeated over time and accepted as true without question?'

Below, I've shared some common clichés as well as their implications and potential misfires. Each of these phrases carries conventional wisdom that might be worth a second look:

"Don't put all your eggs in one basket." - Supports diversification, when sometimes focus and investment in a single area can lead to significant success. Think target/niche marketing.

"Sleep when you're dead." - Promotes working hard at the expense of one's health, overlooking the importance of rest for productivity, creativity and well being.

"Fake it till you make it." - Advocates for confidence, but can lead to a lack of authenticity and trustworthiness.

"Seeing is believing." - Emphasizes empirical evidence, yet undervalues faith, intuition, and unseen forces that influence outcomes. If helpful, consider what may go on behind the scenes of anything.

"Winners never quit, and quitters never win." - Promotes perseverance, but sometimes strategic withdrawal is necessary for greater success in the long run. Sometimes knowing when to let go leads to greener pastures.

"The customer is always right." - While aiming to ensure customer satisfaction, this perspective can overlook the wellbeing of employees and the practical limits of customer demands. Yes, clients should always, always, always be heard. If your client centric values are in place, you'll develop the right solution given all of the facts.

"There's no 'I' in team." - Emphasizes teamwork, yet may undervalue individual contribution and recognition. Employees are uniquely gifted and should be recognized as such, while they contribute to the greater good.

"It's not personal, it's business." - Used to justify tough decisions, but often ignores the personal impact those decisions have on individuals. While it shouldn't stop us from making tough decisions, everything is personal (we're dealing with people) and there's great value for true empathy in the workplace.

"Win-win situation." - Aims for mutually beneficial outcomes but can oversimplify negotiations where not all gains are equal. It has it's place when both parties are 100% satisfied.

"Circle back." - Suggests revisiting a topic later, which can be a useful delay tactic but might also lead to procrastination or lack of resolution. Follow it up with "when?", and add it to the calendar.

"You can't teach an old dog new tricks." - This undermines the potential for growth and learning at any age. I have a 15 year old dog (that's 105 in "dog years"). She's still learning new tricks.

"The early bird catches the worm." - Advocates for early rising and proactivity, yet overlooks the value and productivity of being a "night owl." While I'm an early bird, I'm in awe of my friends that operate most efficiently in the evening.

"Don't judge a book by its cover." - While promoting the idea of looking beyond appearances, it's natural for humans to make initial assessments based on visual cues. Case in point: In real estate, sellers need to know that the appearance of their online listing (from visual imagery to the story told in the remarks section) is the first impression that could-be buyers get. A very strong second is the impression formed from the curb to the front door.

"Better safe than sorry." - Advocates for caution but can lead to missed opportunities due to overcautiousness. If Neil Armstrong didn't have a risk taking mindset, he never would have stepped on the moon.

"Great minds think alike." - While it celebrates shared ideas, it can overlook the value of diverse perspectives and the benefit of constructive disagreement. Can you imagine a world where we all thought the same thoughts? Pure vanilla.

"Silence is golden." - Highlights the value of silence but can discourage open communication and expression of thoughts or feelings. If your client has gone silent, reach out to them to ensure they're still elated.

"Ignorance is bliss." - In my opinion, this has no place in any setting.

"Treat people like you'd like to be treated" (The Golden Rule) If the way you like to be treated is completely malleable, then I would agree. Since most people have their own strong backbones, it may be best to consider the Platinum Rule and treat others the way that they'd like to be treated. The best way to know is to ask.

Instead of taking clichés as the absolute truth, in the future you may choose to hear them as a prompt to apply your critical thinking skills. Can you identify a cliché that you've encountered, in your work or personal life, that you've concluded is overused or not useful at all? Share it in the comments section if you'd like to.

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Linda Crane - U.S. and International Real Estate Referral Associate, NRS Referral Services, LLC ?

Cell: 215-429-0419