Rich Habits Word of the Day
Analogous – Synonymous, similar. The use of simple analogous words was one of his greatest communication skills.
Rich Habits Fact of the Day
“I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears, and sweat,” Winston Churchill announced gravely in his first speech as Prime Minister of Great Britain. It was, in one sentence, a summary of his approach to all of life.
Winston Churchill’s speeches are among the best-loved public addresses of the 20th Century. It was Churchill’s perseverance in banishing fear, combined with his love of the English language, that defeated Adolph Hitler. That Sir Winston made an impression was not accidental. He carefully crafted and rehearsed each speech. Churchill developed a strategy to practically guarantee that people would remember his most important words. The secret to Churchill’s success was this: he saw words as weapons. He shot them out in short, staccato bursts. He often paired two adjectives together at a time and fired them as from a double-barreled gun. He marched them out rhythmically as if in a parade.
Churchill once told Edward Duke of Windsor, “If you have an important point to make, don’t try to be subtle or clever. Use a pile driver. Hit the point once. Then come back and hit it again. Then hit it a third time-a tremendous whack.” Churchill understood that people remember phrases, not speeches. To be memorable, a speech must contain a few well-placed, punchy, rhythmic quotes. Churchill carefully crafted two or three such phrases into every speech.
Rich Habits Lesson of the Day
Words have power. The words you use to communicate can turn failure into success, a prospect into a client, a stranger into a lifelong relationship. It is important, therefore, to make a Rich Habit out of improving your vocabulary every day. One of the strategies I use is something I call the Word Book. A Word Book is a simple looseleaf binder I use to add new words to. Whenever you hear a new word or word that you would like to incorporate into your vocabulary, write it down in your Word Book along with its definition or synonyms. Spend ten minutes every day studying the new additions to your word book from the prior week. In time this will grow your vocabulary and increase your communication skills.
About Thomas C. Corley
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