From Bruce...

The Subtlety of Language by Jim Rohn

I have found that sometimes the subtle difference in our attitude, whichof course can make a major difference in our future, can be as simple as thelanguage we use. The difference in even how you talk to yourself or others.Consciously making a decision to quit saying what you don't want and to startsaying what you do want. I call that faith. Believing the best, hoping for thebest and moving toward the best.

A few examples could be, instead of saying "What if somebodydoesn't respond?" you start saying, "What if they do respond?"Instead of saying "What if someone says no?" you say "What ifthey say yes?" Instead of "What if they start and quit?" you say"What if they start and stay?" Or instead of "What if it doesn'twork out?" you say "What if it does work out?" And the list goeson and on.

I found that when you start thinking and saying what you really wantthen your mind automatically shifts and pulls you in that direction. Andsometimes it can be that simple, just a little twist in vocabulary that illustratesyour attitude and philosophy.

Our language can also affect how others perform and behave around us. Ateenager says to a parent, "I need $10." If the parent learns to say,"That kind of language doesn't work here. We've got plenty of money, butthat's not how you get $10," then you teach your teenager how to ask,"How can I earn $10?"

That is the magic of words. There is plenty of money here. There ismoney for everybody, but you just have to learn the magic words to get them—foreverything you could possibly want, if you just learn the philosophy. How couldI earn $10? Because you can't go to the soil and say, "Give me aharvest." You know the soil smiles and says, "Who is this clown thatbrings me his need and brings me no seed." And if you said to the soil,"I've got this seed and if I planted it, would you work while Isleep?" the soil says, "No problem. Give me the seed. Go to sleep andI'll be working while you're sleeping."

If you just understand these simple principles, teaching them to ateenager (or adult) is sometimes just a matter of language. It's like aninvestment account instead of a savings account. Simple language, but soimportant. It is easy to stumble through almost a lifetime and not learn someof these simplicities. Then you have to put up with all the lack and all thechallenges that don't work out simply from not reading the book, not listeningto the tape, not sitting in the class, not studying your language and not beingwilling to search so you can then find.

But here is the great news: You can start this process anytime. For meit was at age 25. At 25 I'm broke. Six years later I'm a millionaire. Somebodysays, "What kind of revolution, what kind of change, what kind ofthinking, what kind of magic had to happen? Was it you?" And I say,"No. Any person, any six years, 36 to 42, 50 to 56. Whatever six years;whatever few years you go on an intensive, accelerated personal-developmentcurve, learning curve, application curve, and learning the disciplines. Now, itmight not take the same amount of time, but I'm telling you the same changesand the same rewards in some different fashion are available for those who paythat six-year price. And you might find that whether it's in the beginning tohelp get you started, or in the middle to keep you on track, that your languagecan have a great impact on your attitude, actions and results.