I instituted a 25¢ fine at my monthly Arts Forum meetings this past year. During these sessions successful women artists shared successes, challenges and goals with each other. Three signs sat discreetly, but prominently in the middle of the group. Each displayed a word with the international no sign across it. They were “try”, “just” and “little.” Every usage incurred a penalty, which members anted up with less and less frequency as the year progressed.

In spite of the talent level, maturity and sophistication of these fabulous women, those words often slipped into their statements and diminished the power of their messages. Only a few dollars were collected before everyone grew more conscious and sparing in their use of these minimizing words.

My own consciousness was raised many years ago when I heard professional speaker Dr. Julie White on an audio series devoted to self-empowerment for women. She delivered a memorable lesson. After delivering a keynote address to a large audience a gentleman came up to her and said, “I really liked that little speech of yours.” Julie looked him squarely in the eye and said, “Oh, thank you. That was actually my jumbo speech.”

I hear minimizers slipping frequently into conversation with business owners, both men and women. “Here’s my little brochure.” “That’s just my rough draft of a book proposal.” “I’ll try to be there.” When you see them in succession it becomes clear how they diminish the effort involved or the accomplishment. As much as your marketing materials make statements about you and shape your prospects’ perceptions, your words, too, have an enormous impact as well, not only on others but on yourself, too.

Edit your conversation and your correspondence with a fine tooth comb. When writing, for instance, make liberal use of the backspace key and consciously choose to make your language more powerful. For those of you who can remember the old days of typewriters and white-out, thank our lucky stars for the joys of word processing.

Now that you’ve read this you’ll be more conscious of noticing each “just,” “try” and “little” you speak. Catch yourself and restate your message using commanding language. The simple truth is most powerful of all.

Then give yourself a jumbo pat on the back.