"Now don't you go getting any ideas, Harold."
"Don't you get any ideas either, Terry."
"Don't you two get any ideas."
The young mother's words to her small children echoed in my head for several days. While I realized she was probably warning them to not do something against her wishes or something that could harm them, I can't help but wonder about the effects that a situation like that, heard over and over for a period of years, will have on their lives and their ability to realize their potential.
Flash forward - It's 20 years later and now little Howard and Terry are all grown up, sitting in a conference room where they both work as marketing managers, having graduated at the top of their classes in college.
The CEO is pacing back and forth saying, "Okay gang, what we need now, if we want to save this company, are some really good ideas." As their bosses words trail off, Howard and Terry are jolted back in time to that day at the Eagle Diner. All they can hear is their mother's voice telling them not to get any ideas. The conflict that this is causing has blocked their creative abilities. The contribution they might have made has been stifled by a poor choice of phrasing some 20 years ago.
I know this sounds a bit extreme but if you stop and think about it, this happens all the time. We are constantly being conditioned by the messages we hear, especially in our formative years.
We use phrases like "don't get smart" and then wonder why children are doing poorly in school. There is a connection. Whatever is repeated, over and over, will be absorbed into the sub?conscious mind of the person listening, in this case your children. McDonalds knows this, as does every other successful advertiser.
In my seminars I ask people to complete this phrase. Winston tastes good like a ____. Even audience members in their 20's can complete this advertising slogan, though it hasn't been used for more than 20 years. The words you choose and the phrases you use repeatedly will have a lasting impact on your children. Why not choose words that will help them realize their potential as unique, creative, bright, loving, powerful and successful human beings?
Imagine what could happen if you made a habit of using positive, empowering, self-esteem building messages every day? Imagine all your children could become!
Decide right now to create some positive messages you can implant in the young minds of your children. Make a daily habit of using positive messages when speaking to your children.
For example, you might say, "You know (childs name), every day you're getting better and better in every way." (This is a take off on a phrase from Claude Bristol's classic self help book, The Magic of Believing).
? 2004 Jim Donovan - PO Box 1147, Buckingham, PA 18912 - (215) 794-3826
Jim Donovan is the author of "Handbook to a Happier Life, a motivational speaker and coach. For a no cost bonus product & more, visit http://www.jimdonovan.com
If you had all the information and tools you needed to live your dream life, would you use them? Yes? Click here ==> http://www.jimdonovan.com
elite cleaning services Mundelein ..The ADD child exhibits a series of behaviors that are... Read More
Single parents are not often thought of as good parents.I... Read More
For troubled teens who are struggling with drug abuse, depression... Read More
Successful parents have learned to be both firm and kind... Read More
I never dreamed that I would be in a position... Read More
Ok. So you're a dad to be. If you're like... Read More
This may come as a surprise, but many parents are... Read More
In this form of treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder... Read More
The time you will need to teach your children the... Read More
All children will likely have many different health problems during... Read More
Question 1 "How do I get more time to play?"... Read More
A common theme over the past 20 years has been... Read More
What are we teaching our children about money? Hopefully something!I... Read More
I love Google and Yahoo. With Google and Yahoo I... Read More
Congratulations on your new baby! You have just brought your... Read More
"Hugging is healthy: it helps the body's immunity system, it... Read More
One of the most important aspects of parenting, is ensuring... Read More
As a parent, are you at your wits end? Does... Read More
Homework. It doesn't have to be a daily battle of... Read More
There are few thoughts as terrifying as the abduction of... Read More
All babies cry, but if yours cries a lot, isn't... Read More
It's hard to explain to the uninitiated the changes that... Read More
I don't know how people raise daughters because I have... Read More
Our back-to-school buying habits do not help kids succeed in... Read More
Your Virgo Baby..August 23 - September 22Virgo children are honest... Read More
Airbnb cleaning service Mundelein ..A number of scientific studies have shown the way a... Read More
Teens don't learn responsibility overnight. If you haven't been working... Read More
Predicament:My son is 4 1/2 years old. His younger brother... Read More
Maryann is so focused she's blind. She's slipped over the... Read More
My name is Duncan and I'm 2 years old. I... Read More
A common theme over the past 20 years has been... Read More
If your child or teen has been diagnosed with Attention... Read More
We were sitting in the family room. My kids had... Read More
I recently heard a story that has literally changed the... Read More
Most of us can agree that there is a lack... Read More
This may come as a surprise, but many parents are... Read More
Courage means doing the right thing when it is hard,... Read More
We all want to comfort our children after they suffer... Read More
Reading is the most important skill that a child must... Read More
Dining in a restaurant with kids can be very enervating... Read More
How excited do kids get with the start of school... Read More
Reasearch into children's friendships shows that those children who are... Read More
There is no doubt that the benefits of being a... Read More
Congratulations on your new baby! You have just brought your... Read More
Q. Things have been relatively calm and OK with our... Read More
Assuming there are no serious motor problems present, what can... Read More
I am sure that this list can be jogged and... Read More
How in the world do you get your child to... Read More
Parental Alienation Syndrome was probably first identified and codified by... Read More
Thank you to all of our professional educators who dedicate... Read More
Parenting |