S:1071 Distinction: Be Yourself vs. Prove Yourself

(Distinctions are subtleties of language that, when gotten, cause a shift in a belief, behavior, value or attitude.)   Children, in learning how their world works, will frequently perform in order to get feedback. The process of doing so places the source of their information outside of them. “How’m I doing?” is their implied, or […]

S:1069 Distinction: In-vironment vs. Environment

(Distinctions are subtleties of language that, when gotten, cause a shift in a belief, behavior, value or attitude.)   It’s pretty clear to most people that hanging around toxic environments is not useful. Toxics include – chemicals, fluids, and fumes; certain foods, drinks, and drugs; companies, relationships, and relatives; organizations, ‘messiahs,’ and movements. In short, […]

S:1056 Distinction: Enlighten vs. Lecture

(Distinctions are subtleties of language that, when gotten, cause a shift in a belief, behavior, value or attitude.)   Don’t lecture me. Don’t make me wrong, ‘should on’ me, act superior, or treat me like I’m stupid. You do – subtlety or overtly – and I’ll dig in my heels and push back, or at […]

S:1054 Distinction: Make Better vs. Improve

(Distinctions are subtleties of language that, when gotten, cause a shift in a belief, behavior, value or attitude.)   Have you ever bought a product you’ve used for a long time, and really like, and then discovered it’s now ‘New!’ and ‘Improved!’? Most of us have. Did you agree with the vendor that the product […]

S:1051 Distinction: Express vs. Illustrate

(Distinctions are subtleties of language that, when gotten, cause a shift in a belief, behavior, value or attitude.)   In an exhibition of some of the works of the late Jackson Pollock the artist was quoted as having said that when he created he was “expressing his feelings rather than illustrating them.” The distinction is […]

S:1050 Distinction: Create vs. Please

(Distinctions are subtleties of language that, when gotten, cause a shift in a belief, behavior, value or attitude.)   An artist friend was talking about her frustration from taking a commission to create a new piece. The client had seen a work of hers and wanted one similar, but with changes. As she created the […]

S:1048 Distinction: Ending An Experiment vs. Giving Up

(Distinctions are subtleties of language that, when gotten, cause a shift in a belief, behavior, value or attitude.)   Nobody enjoys giving up. But that’s exactly what happens when you don’t have a plan going in. How many times have you seen someone hang in there and ride a losing proposition all the way to […]

S:1047 Distinction: Innovator vs. Imitator

(Distinctions are subtleties of language that, when gotten, cause a shift in a belief, behavior, value or attitude.)   This is not an either/or Distinction. Both sides are useful. What’s important is to notice when you are in which mode. Culturally we revere and encourage innovation. It’s what drives most progress. Statues have been erected […]

S:1046 Distinction: Observe vs. See

(Distinctions are subtleties of language that, when gotten, cause a shift in a belief, behavior, value or attitude.)   To see is a function of physics – eyes, optic nerves, and signal processing. “That’s a boat. There’s a person. Those are puffy white clouds.” Seeing is an action. To observe transcends seeing by the addition […]

S:1043 Distinction: Excitement vs. Fear

(Distinctions are subtleties of language that, when gotten, cause a shift in a belief, behavior, value or attitude.)   We do what we do because of different motivations. There are feelings behind our actions. The feelings are what provide the different motivations. A feeling of excitement is an eager, anticipating one which draws us. When […]