Words have the power to heal or hurt, encourage or discourage, and build understanding or barriers. What comes out of our mouth can do a lot of good or a lot of damage. Negative thoughts create negative actions and results, while positive thoughts create positive actions and results. It is important to be aware of the words we use and think positively in order to build confidence, self-esteem, and motivate ourselves and others.

1. THE POWER OF WORDS
Presentation created for I M CONFIDENT NIAGARA CANADA
By Brenda Silveira

2. INTRODUCTION
Reading books can help you gain all sorts
of valuable information on various topics.
They are full of words that can literally
change your life. However, this can mean
for the better or the worse depending on
what you are reading. Make sure you are
reading books with words that
encourage, inspire and motivate you to
learn and grow.

3. ‘Sticks and stones will break
my bones, but words will
never hurt me’.
Recorded in Folk Phrases of Four Counties (1894) as stated by one youngster to another
Do you agree with this statement?

4. WORDS ARE POWERFUL
Do you have any idea how
much power you have in
one small part of your
body?
What comes out of your
mouth can do a lot of good
or a lot of damage.

5. WHAT CAN WORDS DO?
• Words can heal or hurt
• Words can encourage or discourage
• Words can stop wars or start wars
• Words can build understanding or build barriers
• Words can boost esteem or destroy esteem

6. JUST ONE MOUTH
We have 2 EARS, 2 EYES, 2 NOSTRILS but just 1
MOUTH. Did you ever wonder why? Could it be
because we are supposed to:
• hear twice as much
• see twice as much
• smell twice as much
• speak half as much

7. WHEN YOU SPEAK…
What do you say?
• Negative words or positive words
• Complaining words or rejoicing words
• Critical words or forgiving words
• Nasty words or praising words
• Judgmental words or non-judgmental words
• Hurtful words or healing words

8. WORDS COME FROM OUR THOUGHTS
Negative thoughts
create
Negative actions
create
Negative results
create
Positive actions
create
Positive results
Positive thoughts

9. STOP THINKING NEGATIVE THOUGHTS
• Negative thoughts are destructive to ourselves
and everyone around us
• Negative thoughts keep our esteem low
• Negative thoughts create relationship problems
• Negative thoughts stop us from becoming happy
and successful
• Negative thoughts keep us from accomplishing
anything of value

10. WHEN YOU HAVE NEGATIVE THOUGHTS
• Imagine a big red stop sign in front of
your face, stop what you are doing and
focus on a something positive
• Wear an elastic band on your wrist and
ping it, then replace the negative
thought with a positive thought
• Write your thoughts in a journal, review
them at the end of the day and replace
your negative words with positive words

11. SAY POSITIVE STATEMENTS
• When you get up in the
morning, don’t allow your mind to
start focusing on negative thoughts
• Flood your mind with positive
statements
• If you have trouble focusing in the
morning, write them down the night
before and leave them beside your
bed
• Do this every day and create a
positive habit

12. NEGATIVITY FROM OTHERS
People often communicate with negative
words, often unintentionally
• Take a couple of minutes to think about what was
said
• Make sure you understand their words and ask
questions to clarify
• Separate your feelings from your judgments, you
don’t always know where they are coming from
• Don’t allow their negative words to hurt you
because they probably have issues of their own

13. USE POSITIVE WORDS
• Positive words give positive power
• Positive words help build confidence
• Positive words increase self-esteem
• Positive words provide energy
• Positive words move you forward
• Positive words motivate you
• Positive words help you take action

14. POSITIVE POWER COMES FROM
• Positive friends
• Positive surroundings
• Positive statements or affirmations
• Inspirational music
• Motivational books and movies
• Continuous support from others
• Taking action
• YOURSELF!