“The Difference It Makes”

A Simple Quiz

True or False? The following pairs mean the exact same thing.

1.       (a) Don’t stop.

(b) Keep going.

2.       (a) Don’t forget to...

(b) Remember to...

3.       (a) Nobody wants you to succeed

more than God does.

          (b) God wants you to succeed

more than anyone else.

The above pairs of statements mean the exact same thing. True or False?

How Did You Do?

Each set of statements points to the same end result. Yet, I’m positive that the answer to all 3 questions is False.

Why? Because of the difference it makes to hear positive vs. negative info.

·       Example #1

(a)  Don’t is a negative command.

Stop halts forward movement.

(b)  Keep is a positive command.

Going promotes forward movement.

Imagine having to run up a steep hill in order to finish a 5K race. Which mantra is more helpful: “Don’t stop” or “Keep going”?

·       Example #2

(c)  Don’t forget sounds like a subtle warning.

(d)  Remember sounds like a friendly reminder.

Which command is more likely to motivate you?

·       Example #3

Notice how the sentence changes if we highlight the first 5 words.

(e)  Nobody wants you to succeed more than God does.

(f)   God wants you to succeed more than anyone else.

If your brain only internalizes the first 5 words in (e) and (f), which sentence would you prefer to repeat every day for 30 days?

The above pairs of statements point to the same end result.

But what a difference it makes if a declaration is positive rather than negative.  

Can you think of another example that really stands out to you?

David