The power of "I want"

I had a conversation with a family member recently where he told me he didn’t like something I said. My response? Okay, what do you want me to say instead? He didn’t have an answer. We went in circles—him telling me what he didn’t want, me asking what he did want. It took six or seven rounds before he could finally articulate his actual want.

That’s most people. They can tell you everything they don’t want but struggle to say what they do want. Why? Because saying I Want makes you vulnerable. It’s easier to complain than to take ownership of your desires.

The moment you can say, I want this, you give the people around you something to work with. You invite them into your world instead of projecting onto them or forcing them to guess.

Speaking is what I do. And I’ve realized it’s not about empowering people—it’s about encouraging them. Giving them the courage to own what they want.

Read the rest here.