Let's talk about the importance of the language we use.

One of my pet hates in life is when people tell me they can’t do something. And the reason why is because I know that with the right attitude and the right language used around any issue, more often than not, it is simply that a person hasn’t learnt the skills to do a certain task.

Anyone can be an astronaut with the right training, commitment and determination.

A proven fact of the mind is that it will always work to agree with what you tell it, and what you say out loud will have real time influence on the world you create around you. So, the language we use in our day-to-day life is so important as it really does have an influence on our universe. When you say I can’t do something, your brain agrees with you, and subconsciously shuts down the creative side of your mind and therefore stops looking for solutions for whatever the issue you face is. Therefore, you stop growing, hit a dead end. Die in the desert. Shrink away and no progress is made.

I.e., here is an example of a situation where mindset can make all the difference.

I found myself in the middle of the Tanami desert. My rear tyre had a pretty severe blowout, and the side wall of my tyre was badly damaged.

I knew I didn’t have a spart rear tube as I had needed to jettison this in the big dunes as I was carrying too much weight. I was in the middle of nowhere with limited water and no other tyre.
Instead of giving up and dying in the desert, I went through what gear I had left and made a plan to fit the tyre.

There weren’t any trees to rest the bike against, so I tied it to a nearby sign. I was able to remove the rear and replace it with a spart front tube I had. Then I sealed the tear in the tyre using some rubber cement and tied it all together using some cable ties I had in my pack.
Although the repair didn’t hold for long, it still got me another 20-30 km down the track, and closer again to a mine site. It allowed me to keep moving forward toward the finish line a new world record and ultimate victory.

Use the right language, find a way to keep moving forward, find the solution and win the day.

When faced with an issue that seems impossible, instead of saying I can’t, ask yourself thought provoking, open-ended questions. Questions like:

How do I move forward from here?
What can I do next?
Who can help me?
Where can I find other options?

When you start thinking like this, it keeps your brain in problem solving mode and you will always find a way forward, ALWAYS!

Even if that path forward is in the form of someone else giving you advice, it is still moving forward.

And when you change your language style, it also subconsciously encourages other people to help you move forward.

I.e., if your boss asks you ' How did you go with that task...." instead of responding “I can’t do it” a better response would be "I’m yet to find a solution to that issue". And 9/10 times, they will ask you if you need anything, or where is it they are struggling, and again, you can keep moving forward.

This ‘can do’ language is so important in other areas of our life also. “If I ever do this thing I will..... “ lends itself to believe that you will never do it, it’s just a dream. But if you talk as if it’s getting done in conversation, “when I do this thing......”, creates an air of confidence and also subconsciously projects you forward into action.

Also, self-talk plays an astronomical role in how we see the world. I.e., If you tell yourself negative things and keep projecting negative thoughts, you will create this reality.
Changing that negative self-talk into positive affirmations is a real skill set and one that has to be worked on consistently. This is all part of the 'winners’ mindset'.

So, remember our thoughts and words create our universe. And the C word has no place in life, business or the desert. Use the right language, find a way to keep moving forward, find the solution and win the day.

See you in the dunes,

Benji Brundin

Newsletter #5 No Place in Life or the Desert for the 'C' Word