A few words can have a big impact on another person.

I remember hearing a story from Matt Furey, the "Zen Master of the Internet".  He was out for dinner with marketing guru Dan Kennedy, when Kennedy asked him what his revenue goal was for that year. 

Furey: "$2 million in sales"

Kennedy: "Oh no, you'll do $3 million. No doubt".  

Furey was taken aback by Kennedy's certainty and how confident he was that he'd do a million more than he hoped for.  He put him up on a pedestal, and the fact that someone as smart as Dan K. said he'd do $3 million was a big boost.

He surpassed $3 million that year ... that's the power of a few words. 

Another example: 

A guy that I know used to work at a car dealership, and one day his manager called him into his office to talk with him about something.  When my friend walked in from outside, he still had his sunglasses on.  

The manager said to him: "You look like a friggin' idiot with those sunglasses on indoors - get them off".  

My friend admitted that he was hesitant for a long time to wear sunglasses (even outdoors) after that scolding. 

All because of a few words. 

So what do you do when someone cuts you with their words?  Here's a story of what I did: 

Back when I was a young pup wrapping up my university degree, I told a classmate of my intention to get my license to sell real estate.  

The classmate had tried his hand at real estate for six months and didn't sell much before he quit, so he said to me: "You'll never sell anything. You'll starve - go out and get a real job, trust me".

Instead of letting those words discourage me, I turned them around to motivate me.  In the first six months of selling real estate, I worked my butt off but I didn't sell much.  But anytime the thought of quitting popped into my brain, I reminded myself of my pessimistic friend and knew that I couldn't give up. 

I used his words to get me through the rough patches, and I eventually got it rolling.  

So it's all about perspective.  Flip the negative words around, and use them to motivate you. 

I choose my words carefully for the Secret Coach Club ink and paper newsletter that's mailed out to subscribers monthly. The first issue has 5000 words of business-building goodness for you, and it's going out soon.  Get it here: 

Marc