How One Word Can Change Your Life

“The limits of my language means the limits of my world.”
– Ludwig Wittgenstein

Editor’s note: guest article submitted by Anne-Sophie Reinhardt.

Words are powerful.

They manifest themselves into beliefs, feelings, actions and entire lives. They make your world or break it. They lift you up or pull you down. They move you forward or make you tread water.

But can one single word change the course of your entire destiny?

Yes, it absolutely can.

I’m the living proof of it. Learning just one little wicked word has changed my entire life. I went from almost-dying-of-anorexia to having my own successful business in less than a year.

Up to the point where I decided to take my life in my own hands, I was always guided by outside factors. I had to weigh a certain amount in order to fit in, so I started to go on a fatal diet. I needed to be the best in class to please my dad. I wanted to be part of something, so I changed my personality. I never chose. I was never the one with the driver’s seat in my hands. I just always adapted and went along with the wants and desires of others.

All that changed when I learned the power of the word “to choose”.

I still remember the day. I remember the clear blue sky, the brightness of the sun and the way I was looking out the window of my therapist’s office. I had been in recovery for a while, but was still stubbornly holding on to big parts of my anorexic behavior. I was still abusing laxatives and not eating enough by a long shot. I was at a turning point and I had no idea which way I would go.

Yes, I needed to get better. I needed to tell the truth. I needed to make a decision, but would I?

That’s when my therapist said this magic word that rocked my world. And I’ve never looked back. How could I? I finally started to live, love and matter. I finally started to be me.

The same can become true for you.

Once you start to choose, your possibilities are endless and your outlook on life makes a drastic U-turn.

Suddenly, you can have everything you want to eat, but you choose not to.

You can have every guy in the world, but you choose not to.

You can have all the success you yearn for and you choose to get it.

You can have all the money you’ve always lacked because you choose to have it.

You can be the person you’ve always wanted to be because you choose to just be her.

You get the point.

Is it really that simple? In the end, yes.

Obviously, there are a few steps you have to take to get to that point and I didn’t recover over night, but transforming your thoughts, beliefs and your world is easier than you think.

Here’s the formula I used to stop words from limiting my world and instead craft them to expand my horizon.

1. Become aware of all the have to’s, should’s and want to’s in your life.

How often do you have to do something, want to do something or should do something? Quite often. Am I right?

And how often do you actually do it? Not so often. Right again?

Well, the first step to having more power over your life is to become aware of those limiting words. Listen to your thoughts, hear what you’re saying to yourself and others and really become conscious of it. You’ll be surprised by what you notice. I know I was.

2. Replace these phrases with the magic words choose to

Every time a thought or a sentence with these words slips your mind, instantly negate it by exchanging the words. This will take a bit of patience, a lot of self-compassion and a lot of staying power. But in time, you’ll get more in tune with your inner dialogue, you’ll catch those negative thoughts immediately and can transform them in a mere second.

3. Repeat

Repeat this exercise until you’re sick and tired of thinking of these words. And then do it again. And again. And again. The longer and the more consistent you do this circle of becoming aware and replacing, the more intuitive this process becomes and over time, your mind will not even consider the limiting phrases and will instead go to the empowering and life-changing wording. And that’s where the magic is going to happen, both in your own self-worth, in your business and in whatever area you choose to use this method.

That’s it. That’s the whole formula I used to defeat my inner demons, get healthy, powerful and ready for success, fulfillment and happiness.

Try it yourself and you’ll see how everything changes for the better.

About the Author

Anne-Sophie Reinhardt is an anorexia survivor, self-love ambassador,  body image expert and the owner of aMINDmedia. She empowers you to achieve a healthier and more successful life by returning to your true purpose and values.

Editor’s Note: Share Your Thoughts

It was the same word that transformed my life too. Things started to change when I started to see that I have the power to make the choice to be happy, instead of blaming external events.

What about you? Has any word transformed your life? If so, share it in the comments below.

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