Passive voice

One of the things I have been noticing, in my coaching practice, is this: a tendency for clients to claim Completed Actions in the active voice [I applied for three new jobs!] and to discuss Unaddressed Actions in the passive voice [walking each morning didn’t happen].

Isn’t that interesting?

I am convinced that the language we use is seriously important.

+ Using the active voice for Goals Achieved, delivers some very deserved credit for a job well done. Fantastic!

+ Using the passive voice for Opportunities Missed absolves you of responsibility [it wasn’t that I didn’t do it, it just didn’t transpire]. Adopting an active voice here would completely shift the experience, returning the obligation for making that shift, to you.

Just noticing your own language and tweaking it can make a huge difference.

Tags: life-coaching, Melbourne