Words Affect Your Life
Ever since the Tower of Babel, communication has been a source of concern. Understanding what we are trying to say to each other depends on how well each of us has learned to use words.
An observation was made that in prison the level of crimes committed depends on their ability to communicate. It is much easier to shoot and ask questions later when you do not know how to ask the question!
Husbands and wives, parents and children, and even BFFs have occasion to be hurt by words said or omitted. Clear communication can save relationships!
Words Affect Income
At work, you communicate through emails, phone calls, and meetings. Your understanding of words will greatly affect how others value your contribution to the job they have hired you to do.
If you want to be viewed as growing in value as an employee, you need to learn more words and how to use the words that you know.
Observe those who are in leadership. Do they communicate well? Learn what you can from them and others to make the improvements you need to make. If you think you know more than they do and how to use words better than them, you might have a friend fact check you to verify! It just might be your misunderstanding.
Why Should I Care?
I am doing okay at work, why should I care about the words I use?
Listen to yourself. Doing nothing now does nothing for your future. Unless you make some changes now and act to improve your communication skills, you will experience little improvement in your work life, including your level of pay.
Will what you know now be enough to help you grow your future potential? Do you know enough to convey your abilities?
If you lose that job, will you be able to describe what you did at your previous job to show how you qualify for the job that is advertised?
What Do You Mean?
My point exactly. Can you not understand what I am trying to say? One of us has more to learn.
Words and how to use them are more important than you think. And they will help you think better!
Granted, some people get caught up in using words that few understand, to make themselves look smarter than those around them. However, they are not communicating!
If no one understands what is said, then nothing happens. When everyone understands, then, a lot gets done!
That is what will make you valuable. Clear instructions mean tasks will be completed. The job gets done.
How Does That Happen?
If you ever want to be a leader, you need three important communication skills:
- How to speak.
- How to listen.
- How to write.
How to Speak
Speaking reflects our self-confidence. And our understanding of words affects our confidence.
Like an athlete adding strength and endurance with training, you can gain confidence in speaking by learning new words and their meaning.
Reading helps. But reading a book does not always reveal the meaning. That is the value and purpose of the dictionary. How you utilize the dictionary will affect your ability to communicate.
Once you learn the meaning of a word, you can keep it active in your memory by using it several times on purpose.
You can look up words in the dictionary as you come across them in your reading. Taking the time to verify the meaning of an unknown word will become a learning experience that will help your reading comprehension and improve your reading skills.
Another option for adding words to your vocabulary is to get a set of cards with words along with their meanings. Use them as flash cards each day, using a few at a time, and you can add over a thousand words to your vocabulary over a year!
Of course, learning words is not using words. Adding new words to your conversations will make them a part of your vocabulary. Even better, to force you to use new words, join a speech club or take a class on public speaking. It will do wonders for your self-confidence!
How to Listen
Yes. Listening is a skill you can learn. Whether it is a friend or a class teacher, you will gain more from what is said by active listening.
Active listening means you are focused on what is being said. And, although the words are important to know and understand, the way those words are delivered can be meaningful.
Can you sense what is being said? Emotions behind what is being said are easier to identify when they are spoken. Words come alive with enthusiasm, sadness, and other feelings. Texting had to add emojis to try to convey those feelings.
So, be active in your listening and reflect their feelings in your replies to show you understand. Or they might notice when your mind drifts off to something else.
How to Write
Writing scares a lot of people. However, if you consider your writing as being a conversation, then, writing loses some of its mystery. Keep your words simple. That will increase your ability to be understood. Afterall, you want to get your message across the first time and not have to explain yourself later.
Therefore, when you sit down to write an email, a text message, or a business letter, you should write with your reader in mind. Your life experiences and theirs may not be similar. So, some of your references may need more explanation.
Present your message. Keep it simple. When you can have a conversation, you can add more and be able to see if they understood.
Communication Is Valuable
For some being sensitive is important. For some time is important and they only want the facts. Reflect on that before you speak and write. Listen to what they say and how they respond.
Your value will grow as you improve your ability to use words. Put in the effort to learn and your earnings will reflect how much others value your ability to communicate!