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August 13, 2021 • Rich Litvin

Stop using weak words

These words take away your power. Stop saying them. 

1. Just… 

I’m just going to… 

I just want to say… 

I was just wondering… 

It will just take a minute… 

The word “just” is a minimizer. We use it because we’re afraid to say what we want to say. 

It takes away your power. Stop saying it. 

2. Piggybacking on… 

Piggybacking on what Paula said… 

Following what John said… 

The words “piggybacking” and “following” are minimizers. We use them because we’re afraid to say what we want to say. It’s easier to say what’s scary if we reference someone else first. 

Minimizers take away your power. Stop using them. Say what you want to say without referencing anyone first. 

3. So… 

So, today I’m going to teach about… 

“So,” at the start of a sentence is redundant. Stop using it. 

4. Actually… 

Actually, I think that…

“Actually” is passive aggressive. If you have a different opinion, own your opinion, without the need to be condescending to the person you’re replying to. 

5. My two cents…

My two cents on this are… 

If you have something worth saying, then it’s worth saying. If it’s only worth two cents, don’t say it.

6. Hedges

In my opinion…

The way I see it…

I may be wrong but…

It’s scary to say what you think. For most of human history, if you spoke your truth your life was at risk. It was safer to say nothing, or to hedge on what you did say. 

If you want to create clients or build a community you need to increase your impact. Stop hedging. Speak your truth. 

Some people will love you whatever you say. Some people will hate you whatever you say. And most people on the planet will never, ever know you exist. Speak your truth.

Remove every weak word and you will increase your impact.

So, actually, in my opinion, piggybacking on what’s written above, the way I see it, and I may be wrong, but my two cents on weak words are just… STOP USING WEAK WORDS!

Say what you think. You’re not here to be liked. You’re here to make an impact. 

Love. Rich 

 

 

PS. Dramatically increase your confidence as a coach by mastering enrolling clients. Drastically increase your ability to raise your fees and up-level your clients. And learn to have fun making money. Join me on The 90 Day Money Game. There’s still time to join us…   

 

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  1. Assess your current coaching level and learn how to get to your next level. Read – or remind yourself of – The Litvin Levels, from The Prosperous Coach.
  2. Watch me coach some of the top coaches on the planet, in order to drastically uplevel your coaching skills. Join me on How To Coach A Superhero: The 4PC edition. 
  3. Imagine joining a Deep Coaching experience alongside the members of 4PC, my community of high-level coaches… We only offer The 4PC Accelerator once a year and it always sells out in advance. Save $1,000 with early-bird pricing.
  4. Learn how to enroll and coach successful, talented and ambitious clients – with power and impact. Join my flagship program, Project Kairos – for 8 months of guidance, challenge and support to master creating clients.

 

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