Turn Of A Phrase

Find out how turning a phrase can turn your life around.

Grasshopper Notes are the writings from America's Best Known Hypnotherapist John Morgan. His podcasts contain his most responded to essays and blog posts from the past two decades. 

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Transcript

Turn Of A Phrase

Turn of a phrase is a phrase (actually it's an idiom) that derives from the 1600s. It describes the shaping of wooden objects on a lathe. You're giving the object a different shape. That's what we do with words when we turn a phrase.

This idea came to mind when I caught myself turning a phrase and reshaping the word "can't" into “can’t-ing” one day. It never dawned on me how often “can’t” turns up in conversation – especially mine.

NOTE: Lest you think this is leading to a positive thinking speech, let me assure you I wouldn’t waste your time or mine with such pep rally pap.

This is an exercise in noticing and substituting.

No, you won’t be asked to substitute “can” for “can’t;” you’ll be asked to practice turning a phrase.

Here’s the exercise in a nutshell: Notice yourself saying “can’t” when you’re saying it and then reshape the same statement to yourself or another with the following phrase:

“I haven’t figured out how to do that yet.”

It’s a powerful way to reframe your thinking towards possibility vs. keeping it in the confines of “can’t.”

“I can’t get this software to work,” “I can’t stop smoking,” “I can’t get up and speak in front of a group” are just a sampling of the “can’ts” that we corner ourselves with.

The phrase “Yes you can” often engages our polarity and has us become oppositional to whatever has been suggested. That’s why offering "yes you can" is such an ineffective strategy.

“I haven’t figured out how to _______ yet” is a statement of fact that doesn’t close the door on creativity, whereas “can’t” slams it in your face.

“Can’t” becomes a justification for failure and most often keeps us from making any future efforts.

When you turn “can’t” into “I haven’t figured out how to ______ yet,” you turn the tables on “can’t,” and the odds for finding a solution increase.

This turning of a phrase is not a magic bullet but it does do two things:

1. Gives you a leg up on the resignation and frustration you experience with “can’t.”
2. Gives your mind the option of finding options.

Opening your eyes to what’s possible begins with noticing how often you say “can’t.” The next step is to reshape “can’t” into “I haven’t figured out how to ______ yet.”

When you notice and substitute, you turn “can’t” on its ear, and put you ass in gear.

All the best,

John