Investing in Language 5

The language you use is a tool that can invite or divide. Adding fresh language to your everyday interfaces will give everyone more tools to gain insight, understanding, and wealth.

The new bit of language I got this week watching a little boy challenge his father to a race.

They father and the boy had long ago agreed to run together every Saturday.

“If I win- I want a prize!” declares the boy

“Sure you can have a prize” says the father, who knew he did not have a prize handy so he mentally chooses to beat the boy and get a prize for the following week.

Dad is huffing and puffing and a bit out of shape and wins easily.

“Dad, I did not win!”

“I know” says the father still huffing and thinking about letting the boy win the following week.

“We should start again” says the boy as he gets into the ready position.

The father had not expected that they boy would challenge him to a re-race so quickly and laughed at the turn of events. 

I laughed at the power of the language to create wealth. The power to move ahead even in loss is a powerful tool and the boy was clearly in the moment of wanting to gain triumph.  There was no hesitation in his voice and he had a goal in mind.

“We should start again” may be one of the most powerful pieces of language I have heard all year and it came from a boy of about age 6.