What does positive expectancy talk look like?
When we have a positive expectancy (the future will be better) our talk is different. The words used, the nuance of language used is different. In the same way, we can generate positive expectancy by changing our language. The first of the following sentences does not have a positive expectancy that there is hope for the future whereas the second has optimism built into it.
I have not been able to clear my Master’s Degree
I have not been able to clear my Master’s Degree so far
I don’t have a job
I don’t have a job yet.
My health has not improved
My health has not improved so far
I have not had a meaningful relationship in my life.
Up until now, I have not had a meaningful relationship in my life.
If I learn to control my anger, my relationship with my children will be better.
When I learn to control my anger, my relationship with my children will be better.
By just changing a small part of the language we speak we can generate hope and change our perspective. Let’s pay attention to our language and the language of people we care about. Small keys can open big doors.