In every business you may find that there is some apprehension. From the time an idea for the business pops into your head, through planning and into actually opening your doors you will continually be challenged by three words: Hopefully, Maybe and Someday.
These three words will come about sounding like this, “Hopefully we will accomplish this.” or, “Maybe I’ll do it this way.” or, “We’ll get to that someday.”
As you can already tell, these are phrases that we hear constantly. They used to be part of my repertoire without a second thought. What they lack in actual specific definition they make up for in gross volume. If you are in sales, these are called soft words. If you are in business, these are some of the most debilitating words you will come across.
Realistically, someday you may advertise, or make those calls, or reach out to those people. Maybe you will make those upgrades, innovate or add a new employee. Someday you will grow your business. Hopefully you will. Maybe you will. Let’s be honest, with phrases like that you probably won’t.
The reason is that these words lack any clear call to action. They rely on pure faith and dumb logic to tell ourselves that magic will happen and our business will improve. Hopefully, maybe…someday.
Faith without actual activity towards a specific goal is a great way to dream. It is a terrible way to operate a business.
So what is the solution? Well, like a swear jar, the first step is acknowledgement of the problem and defining what to replace it with. Heck, you could use a flipping swear jar on your dang desk if you wanted to. Only use that jar for soft words specifically aimed at being called out when you discuss what you will be doing with opportunity.
Just like swear words, some people can swear up a storm in some crowds and do just fine. It’s almost expected. In quite another crowd they need to be more polished. This can work for you with your soft words. In some cases, telling people hopefully, maybe and someday is just fine. For example, when asked, “When are you going to quit starting businesses and get a real job?” you can reply, “Maybe someday.”
But if you are asked, “When are you planning on growing your revenue?” if you dare say, “Maybe someday,” you have a problem.
The point in all of this is to realize that as a business owner, if you continually use these soft words you will be dragging your feet to follow what you are telling yourself is your intention. Replace these soft words with a more specific equivalent:
Hopefully: We will/They will
Maybe: We will/They will
Someday: Specific date
Try it now. Ask the people around you questions and listen to their answers. Try to pick up on these soft words. Then challenge these people to be more specific when you hear these words. It is amazing to discover how few people actually have the faith in themselves to trust that they can define what it is they are after and when they will achieve it. Hence the use of these nasty words.
My hope is that maybe someday you will stop doing this. How about you eliminate them from your vocabulary by the end of the day today and commit to actually making the change? You decide which is better. Hopefully you will choose correctly.
James Kademan is a Business Coach for Draw In Customers Business Coaching in Madison, Wisconsin. When he isn’t avoiding soft words like the plague they are, he is busy guiding entrepreneurs to success in business and beyond. He blogs successfully to the world at www.drawincustomers.com. If you are considering hiring a business coach, take a moment to call James at (608)210-2221. Hopefully you will make the call. Someday…maybe.
