Reading: The Powerful Phrases For Positive People (Video Slides)

The Powerful Phrases For Positive People

Henry Reyenga

"I'm Wrong” Is Hard To Say

I chose to begin with "I'm wrong,” because it's the hardest of the phrases to say and genuinely mean. It's tough to admit when we're wrong, even to ourselves, and harder still to say out loud, "I'm wrong” -- especially to those whom we care for most or want most to care about us. DeVos, Rich (2008-10-11). Ten Powerful Phrases for Positive People (p. 3). Center Street. Kindle Edition. 

"I'm Wrong” Must Come From The Heart

Saying "I'm wrong” is meaningless unless it comes from our heart, not just our lips. That often requires a genuine and profound change within ourselves, because we need to accept that we can be wrong. Even if that admission hurts, we need to realize it's simply human nature and that everyone makes mistakes. We also need to realize that we can have a positive impact on the lives of others when we admit to them that we were wrong. DeVos, Rich (2008-10-11). Ten Powerful Phrases for Positive People (p. 4). Center Street. Kindle Edition. 

"I'm Wrong” Is Encouraging To Others

Our outward expression of admitting wrong can serve as an example of our willingness to change and can inspire others to change in positive ways. A positive impact stems from our admission that we were wrong or our thinking was wrong. "I'm wrong” are two little words that can help improve our own positive attitude. It's all part of this shift in our decision to create a positive atmosphere instead of a negative one. If you've been wrong, say so! DeVos, Rich (2008-10-11). Ten Powerful Phrases for Positive People (pp. 4-5). Center Street. Kindle Edition. 

"I'm Wrong” Is The Right Thing For Leaders To Say

Admitting you're wrong is especially difficult for people in leadership positions. The leader is supposed to be the visionary, the bright one who covers all the angles and blazes the trail for those better equipped for following than leading. Unfortunately, even leaders at times have to admit they're wrong. DeVos, Rich (2008-10-11). Ten Powerful Phrases for Positive People (p. 5). Center Street. Kindle Edition. 

"I'm Wrong” Is The Best For Team Work

This type of situation poses a choice: Preserve your pride by covering yourself and not admitting your oversight, or simply say, "You're right! I'm wrong! Somehow I missed that.” The ability to admit you were wrong allows you to correct mistakes and work together toward solutions. Admitting you are wrong creates opportunities to learn from mistakes and to take advantage of another person's point of view. I had not shown respect to my employees by seeking their opinions. DeVos, Rich (2008-10-11). Ten Powerful Phrases for Positive People (p. 6). Center Street. Kindle Edition. 

"I'm Wrong” Is A Sign Of Maturity

When we're young and trying to establish ourselves, we fear admitting a mistake. The reality is admitting mistakes is liberating for ourselves and others and is a mark of maturity. Our admission is a sign of strength -- that we can be humble and aren't too big to admit when we're wrong. People appreciate humility. Nobody likes a know-it-all. DeVos, Rich (2008-10-11). Ten Powerful Phrases for Positive People (p. 9). Center Street. Kindle Edition. 

"I'm Wrong” Brings Healing

Saying "I'm wrong” is also the beginning of a healing process. The first inclination of the child caught with a hand in the cookie jar is to deny, defend, rationalize, and make excuses. Just like the child, our first inclination is to furiously defend our position rather than admit to someone or ourselves that we are wrong. Denial and rationalization are hard and fruitless work. We grow only when we place greater importance on healing a relationship than defending our position. DeVos, Rich (2008-10-11). Ten Powerful Phrases for Positive People (p. 9). Center Street. Kindle Edition. 

"I'm Wrong” I Am Strong

Wrongs are inevitable, and denying their existence only creates arrogance and strife. We are not perfect, nor are we intended to be. Perfectionists face the need to be perfect in all they do. Who could ever live up to such standards? Laugh at a wrong -- laugh at yourself! Your ego will only take you so far, but your integrity and humility will carry you through to success. DeVos, Rich (2008-10-11). Ten Powerful Phrases for Positive People (pp. 9-10). Center Street. Kindle Edition. 

"I'm Wrong” Is People Smart

"I'm wrong” is a powerful phrase for positive people because it can wash away the pain of a strained relationship, move a negotiation forward, end an argument, start a healing process, and even turn enemies into friends. It can be a risk for most people. Admitting you're wrong can be a threat to your authority and credibility and stature, but most things worth having in life require some risk. DeVos, Rich (2008-10-11). Ten Powerful Phrases for Positive People (p. 13). Center Street. Kindle Edition. 

"I'm Sorry”

Along with saying "I'm wrong,” we have to be sorry for it. By being wrong we may have hurt somebody in the process, so our admission must be more than something technical or mechanical -- simply saying the other person was right, and we were wrong. When we wrong someone, that person is going to respond to us and spill some anger. We have to let him or her know we are sincerely sorry for what we did. It's so easy to try to defend our position, but it's amazing how many problems disappear once we decide to say we're sorry. DeVos, Rich (2008-10-11). Ten Powerful Phrases for Positive People (p. 19). Center Street. Kindle Edition. 

"I'm Wrong” and "I'm Sorry” Are Companions

"I'm wrong” and "I'm sorry” are companions. They're really healing words for your apologies. "I'm sorry” is a tag for "I'm wrong,” but it's also separate. And like "I'm wrong,” it's a phrase that has to be learned and is difficult to say. DeVos, Rich (2008-10-11). Ten Powerful Phrases for Positive People (p. 20). Center Street. Kindle Edition. 

"I'm Sorry” Is Rare

Defending positions, using words to cover up rather than to enlighten, blaming the other guy and shirking responsibility can all occur when we choose a negative course instead of making a decision to be positive. This behavior perpetuates a slide toward a negative society. DeVos, Rich (2008-10-11). Ten Powerful Phrases for Positive People (p. 21). Center Street. Kindle Edition. 

"I'm Sorry” Maintains Relationships

The ability to say "I'm sorry” shows that we are able to see the other person's point of view, that we want to maintain a relationship, and that we are not too big to reach out and see the good in others. An apology is a conscious decision we reach when we have empathy for the feelings of others. Instead of thinking of the apology only from our point of view as an admission of our wrong-doing, we consider how our apology will benefit the person we have wronged and actually have a positive impact on his or her life. DeVos, Rich (2008-10-11). Ten Powerful Phrases for Positive People (p. 22). Center Street. Kindle Edition. 

"I'm Sorry” For Past Hurts

We also need to admit to ourselves as well as others when we are sorry for past mistakes or errors in judgment or when we have regrets for failing to seize an opportunity or for doing less than we might have done. DeVos, Rich (2008-10-11). Ten Powerful Phrases for Positive People (p. 26). Center Street. Kindle Edition. 

"I'm Sorry” For Past Hurts

The ability to apologize requires seeing a situation from another person's point of view. That means taking an interest in people -- even in those who may be nothing like us. I've been called a people person. Being a people person simply means you like people, try to understand them, show an interest, and try to see things from their point of view. You cannot sincerely say you are sorry or express sympathy without understanding other people and their situations. DeVos, Rich (2008-10-11). Ten Powerful Phrases for Positive People (pp. 26-27). Center Street. Kindle Edition. 

"You Can Do It”

A student asked me at a college banquet recently, "What's the most important thing a young person like me should know?” And I said to her, "You need to develop a philosophy of 'You can do it.' Whatever you want to do, you can do it.” She seemed surprised. Maybe no one had ever told her this before, so I was grateful for the opportunity to try to have a positive influence on a young person. DeVos, Rich (2008-10-11). Ten Powerful Phrases for Positive People (p. 31). Center Street. Kindle Edition. 

"The Three As: Action, Attitude, and Atmosphere.” 

We all want to take action. But our actions stem from a positive attitude. And a positive attitude is developed when we are in or choose to put ourselves in the right atmosphere. DeVos, Rich (2008-10-11). Ten Powerful Phrases for Positive People (p. 34). Center Street. Kindle Edition. 

"You Can Do It”

As parents, we need to create that positive atmosphere in our homes. We need to encourage our children that they can do anything they set their minds to do, and that God will bless them and keep His hand upon them. We need to teach our children to trust in God and trust in themselves, believing that God gave them great ability and talents to make a difference in this world. DeVos, Rich (2008-10-11). Ten Powerful Phrases for Positive People (pp. 41-42). Center Street. Kindle Edition. 

"You Can Do It”

We also need to develop a "can do” attitude among all people. We have all dealt with people who obviously don't have a "can do” attitude, who are always negative, always complaining. Being a "can do” person has greater ramifications. We have great opportunities to be positive people who encourage more "can do” people. Our positive attitudes can be vital in protecting a climate of opportunity in which our children and grandchildren can achieve great things. DeVos, Rich (2008-10-11). Ten Powerful Phrases for Positive People (p. 45). Center Street. Kindle Edition. 

"You Can Do It”...Start Doing It

You never will discover how far you can go if you don't start "doing it.” Otherwise you limit your whole life and will always have regrets, thinking, I wish I'd tried that. When you develop that "can do” attitude, it all happens, and the Lord then supplies you and begins to give you answers. You weigh obstacles honestly, but you consider them as just something to overcome instead of a reason to do nothing. DeVos, Rich (2008-10-11). Ten Powerful Phrases for Positive People (pp. 48-50). Center Street. Kindle Edition. 

Believe The Lord Has A Plan! 

Too many people never try to do anything because they're afraid -- afraid of failure, that someone might criticize them or laugh at them, that they don't have enough training or expertise. To them I say, "Set a goal and go for it. You can do it!” DeVos, Rich (2008-10-11). Ten Powerful Phrases for Positive People (p. 50). Center Street. Kindle Edition. 

"I Believe In You”

"I believe in you” is a more personal phrase than "You can do it.” A belief in someone is really an extension of the phrase of "You can do it.” We typically say "I believe in you” to our family and close friends. But we need not always say the words. We can demonstrate "I believe in you” through our actions. Sometimes simply our presence at an event or support of a cause says, "I believe in you.” DeVos, Rich (2008-10-11). Ten Powerful Phrases for Positive People (pp. 53-54). Center Street. Kindle Edition. 

"I Believe In You” Changes Lives

We all have a tendency for self-doubt. And that tendency can be reinforced by naysayers. Too many people accomplish little more than a list of regrets because they doubted rather than believed -- because they decided to listen to the negative opinions of others rather than try for themselves. These people could have used a powerful boost by hearing the phrase, "I believe in you.” DeVos, Rich (2008-10-11). Ten Powerful Phrases for Positive People (p. 55). Center Street. Kindle Edition. 

Our Children Need To Hear That We Believe In Them! 

Our children are most in need of hearing "I believe in you.” Advising and mentoring our children sends the message that we believe in them. Even a simple act such as helping them with their homework is a gesture of believing in them. When my kids brought home report cards, my wife and I never jumped all over them about a low grade. We discussed why a grade might have dropped and how it might be improved. We showed that we believed they could do better and encouraged them always to do their best. We offered constant reinforcement in our actions and words: "You can do it. We believe in you.” DeVos, Rich (2008-10-11). Ten Powerful Phrases for Positive People (pp. 56-57). Center Street. Kindle Edition. 

Our Money Even Says, I Believe In You! 

We also show people we believe in them when we support their endeavors or causes. People who create and build are those who believe in themselves, but they need the support of other believers to fire their enthusiasm and passion, especially in the face of naysayers and doubters. DeVos, Rich (2008-10-11). Ten Powerful Phrases for Positive People (p. 59). Center Street. Kindle Edition. 

Leaders Need To Help Others Believe More

The ability to create an atmosphere of belief is a skill we need in our leaders today. As I've said, learning to be positive and learning to use positive phrases is especially important for leaders. We need more leaders who can express what they believe in and impart their beliefs to others who will join them. DeVos, Rich (2008-10-11). Ten Powerful Phrases for Positive People (pp. 65-66). Center Street. Kindle Edition. 

Believe=Trying And Doing

When we talk about believing, we also need to mention the need to try. We never know what we can accomplish until we test our beliefs by trying. Most of what I've tried in life worked because I believed in it and committed myself to try it. DeVos, Rich (2008-10-11). Ten Powerful Phrases for Positive People (p. 66). Center Street. Kindle Edition. 

"I'm Proud Of You”

Our desire as children expressed in "Watch me” remains with us for a lifetime -- a human need to be recognized and acknowledged by those who mean the most to us. Simply put, we want to feel that they are proud of us. We long for recognition all our lives. We work hard to earn the right to be proud of ourselves. As wonderful as it is to take pride in our accomplishments, the power of that feeling is multiplied many fold when others go out of their way to announce to us, "I'm proud of you.” DeVos, Rich (2008-10-11). Ten Powerful Phrases for Positive People (p. 72). Center Street. Kindle Edition. 

Are We Recognizers?

Behind a lot of hard work is a simple desire to be recognized as the best in our profession, to be given a more impressive job title, to win an award or see our name in the paper. Everyone appreciates a pat on the back, an "Attaboy!” or a "You go girl!” DeVos, Rich (2008-10-11). Ten Powerful Phrases for Positive People (p. 73). Center Street. Kindle Edition

Are We Recognizers Of Those Who Achieve Less? 

I find that "I'm proud of you” is especially uplifting for people who typically don't win the awards and rewards of life, who may doubt their abilities and have a tough time finding something to be proud about. That's why it's doubly important for parents and teachers and employers to find ways to say, "I'm proud of you.” DeVos, Rich (2008-10-11). Ten Powerful Phrases for Positive People (p. 79). Center Street. Kindle Edition. 

Attitude Of An Encourager

I want to be a cheerleader in life, because we unfortunately already have our fair share of people who go the opposite direction: tearing down instead of building up. DeVos, Rich (2008-10-11). Ten Powerful Phrases for Positive People (p. 82). Center Street. Kindle Edition. 

To Recognize Is To Respect

I don't believe anyone is just a mechanic or just a salesman, just a trash hauler, or just anything. We're all human beings with dignity, made in the image of God Himself and using the talents He has given us to contribute to society in our own special way. Respect is the key. And with respect, we can say "I'm proud of you” to anyone for a job well done. DeVos, Rich (2008-10-11). Ten Powerful Phrases for Positive People (p. 83). Center Street. Kindle Edition.