Here is what I learned from listening Justin Forsett (Retired NFL Pro Bowl RB) speak

In the world where the number of words in vocabulary is growing, yet the number of unique words used when communicating is shrinking, it is becoming increasingly important (and it is a sign of education and intelligence) that we use proper words to explain, describe, and communicate our intent. In many ways, we do not do this because we are lazy to think of the best word, or prefer "slang" because we think we are making a better impression, or simply we do not know. We do not know the differences among synonyms, and while both words may represent the same thing, their meaning is (perhaps) different - way different.

Why is this important?

Recently I attended a breakfast event organized by cityCurrent in Memphis, TN where Justin Forsett, former American football running back, shared with us number of lessons he learned throughout his life - pro ball career but also personal. Among many good and memorable things he shared, he said that there is a difference between being ready and being prepared. This struct me so hard that I had to approach him (hence the picture/proof to the right) afterward and talk to him more about it. Bottom line, and connecting it to my passion of helping professionals create and execute their professional development plans so that they can reach their full potential and achieve their career objectives, there is vast differences between the two. We may use (and I may say, use very frequently) those two words (which are rally states of being) interchangeably, yet the impact they have on us - either that be conscious or unconscious, is big. For example, we tell others that we are ready, and we want something and deserve something, because "we are ready." And then, we get disappointing when we do not get it. Instead of reflecting on it and thinking, maybe we were ready but we were not prepared for it, we struggle to recover from this setback. What we should be thinking, doing, and being is prepared. Work on our #professionaldevelopment plans that would make us prepared for our #career instead of being ready for it. I encourage myself and you to think about this, simple, example and start shifting our minds and worldview from being ready to being prepared.

Here are some additional examples:

• We tend to say that we are "thinking" about something when we are actually "considering" things (big differences)
• We may say that we are "meaning" to do something, when we are actually "wanting" to do something
• We even use for "opportunity" when talking about a "problem" (which is in itself different than issue, and altogether different than challenge)

There are many more I am sure. Please comment below examples that you can think of. Would love to hear from you.

Bringing it all together

Words can help and influence our thinking, our behavior, our state of being more than anything else so easy. Also, words are sign of intelligence, education, and proper communication. As professionals, we should always strive to be better, to improve ourselves, and for that we should create and execute EXECUTABLE individual development plans. Part of such plan must be our vocabulary. It will only help us reach our full potential and achieve our career objectives - easier and faster. Thank You Justin for the talk, and the lesson I learned from you.

I am interested to hear from you. What are other examples do you know or can think of where people may be saying one thing but really meaning something different - yet they may not realize the differences? Please comment below or share in the post. Thank You!

Links to related articles:

• Why do you must have an EXECUTABLE Individual Development Plan (IDP)?
• 4 Main Reasons For NOT Having Professional Development Plan
• 3 Must-Haves to reach your full potential and achieve your career objectives
• 5 Things if you lack at work, you will lack when it comes to your development
• Make Your #ToDoList :: What to do in GOOD times that would help you in BAD times (#professionaldevelopment advice)
• 5 "Did you knows" about #professionaldevelopment
• [Reminder] The benefits of developing other professionals
• Professional development tips - for (new) graduates
• Do this one thing to advance your professional development this summer
• All you need to start YOUR own business - today!
• Is your attitude aligned with your professional development
• HARD TRUTH: 5 Reasons why you are not being (professionally) developed
• 4 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT LESSONS (and actions) FROM WORLD CUP 2018
• 5 THINGS YOU SHOULD TAKE ADVANTAGE OF - While you (still) can
• 4 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT TIPS FOR JULY 4TH
• PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: Learning from others: Flight attendant
• 1 Definition and 3 Examples of "Career Sacrifice"
• PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: Learning from others: Carpenter
• Climbing more than a corporate ladder. How one millennial is doing it right
• How to be-come a better coach. 10 be-haviors to have

About the author

Jasmin NUHIC  is a passionate author of "It Starts and Ends with eIDP - Create your professional development plan; No one else should!", speaker, facilitator, and coach. His talks and presentations have been heard by organizations such as American Society for Quality, Project Management Institute, Medtronic, Chamber of Commerce, and many others. He provides coaching to individual contributors (SMEs), project managers, and people leaders, while at the same time consults businesses and organization on establishing and improving talent development. Jasmin holds undergraduate degree in science and holds Master’s degree in Business and master’s degree in Executive Leadership as well as is certified in Coaching, Ethical Leadership, and Cross-Cultural Intelligence. He has global experience in leading and developing individuals and team and is interested in helping others reach their full potential and achieve their career objectives.

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About MY eIDP

We help individuals, teams and organizations create and execute their Executable Individual Development Plans, through which they can reach their full potential and career objectives. This inspires us and drives us in our path!

Think about it, you can spend your dollars on anything from communication skills to management techniques or you can spend them on developing your employees – your greatest assets. Research shows that over 85% of employees (individual contributors and leaders / managers) to not know how do it. Our Executable Individual Development Plan coaching, workshops and keynotes can help you address your need of developing your greatest assets.

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