Talk is cheap. You’ve heard that, right?
Yes, talk is cheap. At least a lot of it is—cheap and meaningless. Filled with opinions, judgments, gossip, whining and complaining.
How about what you talk about? How much of it falls into the categories listed above?
Because there’s another kind of talk that’s not cheap. It’s a special way of speaking designed to produce results. It consists of requests, promises, declarations, questions and straight reporting. Cheap talk produces nothing but more cheap talk. Opinions beget more opinions. Gossip begets more gossip.
Action Talk is a more powerful form of expression with the chance to make things happen.
Action talk contains the following elements:
- Requests─asking for something specific.
- Promises─a commitment to do something specific, in a certain way, by a certain time.
- Declarations─a formal statement announcing the possibility of something, the existence of something or your intention to do something.
- Questions—to gain knowledge, find something out, clarify.
- Reports─just the facts; without opinions, assessments, judgments or evaluations.
Listen for the kind of language that others speak. You’ll notice right away that the effective people you know tend to make more promises and requests, and keep their “cheap talk” to a minimum.
When they’re expressing opinions or judgments, they label them as such.
Action Point
For the next few days, be mindful of how you are speaking. See if you can keep all your communication to Action Talk.
If there’s something you need or want, ask for it. If someone asks you for something, and it works for you, promise. If you need to communicate the facts, report them. If you want to know something, ask a question. If you want to inspire people and create a new possibility, declare it.
If you catch yourself opining, judging, gossiping or any of the kinds of lower level talk, just stop. Say, “You know, that’s not really what I wanted to say . . .”
Use Action Talk, and watch how much more effective it is.
Recommended Reading
The Achievement Code
The Three-C Formula for Getting What you Truly Want
Without the Three C’s of Clarity, Concentration and Consistency, achieving your goals will always be hit and miss.
The Achievement Code shows you how to live with more purpose, passion and prosperity.
