Avoid generalizations in everyday language
Never, never, all, always, everywhere - small words in everyday language lead to inappropriately generalizing facts. With so-called generalizations you do not describe a state of affairs precisely, but rather "disguise" what you mean. You're expressing yourself unclear where to talk to the famous Tacheles.
Perhaps in a meeting or a meeting you have already crossed your head with the annoying sentence: "Never will heeded my views. "You may even have said this out loud - with the result that none of those present addressed each other felt. If you are too generalized, it can be difficult to understand who you are talking to or what you are talking about.
Effect of linguistic generalizations
Language is not only an expression of consciousness, but conversely also shapes consciousness. Linguistic generalizations are used in spoken language as well as in self-talk or the famous "inner voice".
- When you speak to yourself in generalizations, this shapes your consciousness or Your perception of the world. If you tell yourself that no one will ever listen to you, you will hardly expect that it could ever be otherwise.
- The generalizing sentence that your views will never be heeded can be resolved with specific questions. Ask yourself who ignored or ignored your views and when they did or did so.
Precise language helps mutual understanding
If in a meeting you feel that your opinion is being ignored, make sure you are heard. If you do this in language that is too generalizable, there is a risk that nobody will feel addressed.
A successful conversation is essential in many situations in everyday and professional life ...
- If you express yourself more precisely, it is more difficult for others to evade your thoughts. An example of a more precise statement is: "I have now mentioned twice that... . Mr. Müller and Mr. Meier shook their heads. What exactly do you mean by that? And what do the others think of my suggestions? "By naming Mr. Müller and Mr. Meier, they can get out of the affair worse.
- In addition, you do not express the general accusation that nobody is listening, but ask for specific comments and thus what you are missing: feedback on your point of view. Ignoring a direct request is more difficult for those involved than "sitting out" a general accusation in silence.
Don't sink into pessimism
- A generalizing inner voice tends to lead to a pessimistic attitude - at least when the respective sentences are negative. The internally spoken sentence that something just went wrong has a different effect than when you abuse yourself by saying that you "never succeed in anything at all."
- If you often use generalizations, you will not be able to change this habit all of a sudden - the patterns are too "ingrained" for that. However, the more you practice using more precise expressions, the more often you will find that there are changes in your expression and perception.
Generalizations are common in everyday language. A more precise language can help make yourself more understandable.