Not. One. Single. Word.

When in London this summer, I spoke with the esteemed leadership coach Elle Harrison, MCC of Wild Courage. In mentioning that I would love to work in London, I offered as an aside, “…however much of a longshot that might be.” As I recall, she stopped me and encouraged me to not ever utter a single word that the other person might hold on to as an impression. It has really changed the way I conduct myself in meetings and write business correspondence since – I’m not phony but I no longer use terms of self-deprecation as endearment.?

Since the studio layoffs this year, I have read countless LinkedIn posts whose very first words doom the individual, per this notion. “Unfortunately,” “victim,” “saddened,” “rejected,” “regret,” etc.

Look, I get it – vulnerability and candor are superpowers. And we often share our emotions to try and make that crucial connection with someone. But the science is clear on negativity bias and its multiplied effect versus positivity (check out the late great author Trevor Moawad speaking with my great old boss Tom Bilyeu of Impact Theory https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5lCeWtXPKko).

And I too hate Pollyannas, so of course Be Yourself is still your best bet in however you may seek this new #mindfulness. All I’m sayin’ - limiting your Stinkin’ Thinkin’ in how you speak about yourself (including to yourself when by yourself!) has recently done wonders for this loser.