What’s your favorite personal line? A go-to phrase that encapsulates a response or statement that reflects on multiple situations?
You probably never think of this. You just say something, not realizing you said it 18,541 times before. Similar to former NFL quarterback and current NFL TV announcer Tony Romo, who says “outstanding” an average of 27 times during each broadcast.
No one has told him to stop. No one has told him he’s being repetitive. No one has said, “Hey, why don’t you use marvelous, wonderful, spectacular, phenomenal, delightful, titanic, monumental?” There are so many to choose from. He should print a list out and read from it at the start of the game, and work his way down to the bottom before returning to the top, to ensure variety.
Even the basic words, like “good” or “very good” “great” or “excellent,” would help Romo diversify his game. We’re all stuck in similar ways at times.
We choose phrases we’re comfortable with (for whatever reason). They roll off the tongue. Perhaps they’ve made people laugh in the past, or we’ve found a sweet spot with the word/phrase that gets attention.
A good friend of mine who is close to 70 will use his go-to line when someone chirps at him about something he was told 19 minutes ago, and is now being reminded about, “Hey, I’m almost 70 years old. Give me a break.” It’s a good one. If you’re in that age bracket, feel free to steal.
When people tell you bad news, or a situation arises that you can’t affect, or someone wants your help but you can’t share time to help them fix something, one of my favorite responses has become, “Oh, well.” It says so much.
It acknowledges futility. There just ain’t nuthin’ you can do. “Oh, well.” Say it, and you’ll feel better. Seriously.
Another all-time favorite of mine comes from Sponge Bob. I forget whether he said it or Squidward. Whoever claims it, the phrase is stated when someone goes way out, acting, thinking or stating they are going to do something that you know dang well will never happen.
Your response (via Sponge Bob/Squidward) -- “Good luck with that.” Say it in Sponge Bob’s voice for greater effect. You’ll smile to yourself.
Similar to “oh, well,” you’ll find yourself feeling better when you use “good luck with that.” Again, it recognizes futility. Perhaps you recognize the insanity of a coworker’s proposal. “Good luck with that” is a good response. Someone suggests they’re going to do something you know they will never attempt. “Well, good luck with that” is the perfect response.
Long ago, I was Tony Romo, overusing the word “outstanding” to the point where my wife asked me to stop, which I did. I loaded up on all those other marvelous and delightful choices.
While futility phrases are good to recognize when the walls block you, experimenting with language takes you in the opposite direction – expanding, growing, learning, adding humor, embracing changing circumstances. Pull out your Thesaurus (the old fashioned one or online, it doesn’t matter). Play around. See what you can create that is fresh and new. If it doesn’t click and you have to acknowledge your futility, “Oh, well.”
You probably never think of this. You just say something, not realizing you said it 18,541 times before. Similar to former NFL quarterback and current NFL TV announcer Tony Romo, who says “outstanding” an average of 27 times during each broadcast.
No one has told him to stop. No one has told him he’s being repetitive. No one has said, “Hey, why don’t you use marvelous, wonderful, spectacular, phenomenal, delightful, titanic, monumental?” There are so many to choose from. He should print a list out and read from it at the start of the game, and work his way down to the bottom before returning to the top, to ensure variety.
Even the basic words, like “good” or “very good” “great” or “excellent,” would help Romo diversify his game. We’re all stuck in similar ways at times.
We choose phrases we’re comfortable with (for whatever reason). They roll off the tongue. Perhaps they’ve made people laugh in the past, or we’ve found a sweet spot with the word/phrase that gets attention.
A good friend of mine who is close to 70 will use his go-to line when someone chirps at him about something he was told 19 minutes ago, and is now being reminded about, “Hey, I’m almost 70 years old. Give me a break.” It’s a good one. If you’re in that age bracket, feel free to steal.
When people tell you bad news, or a situation arises that you can’t affect, or someone wants your help but you can’t share time to help them fix something, one of my favorite responses has become, “Oh, well.” It says so much.
It acknowledges futility. There just ain’t nuthin’ you can do. “Oh, well.” Say it, and you’ll feel better. Seriously.
Another all-time favorite of mine comes from Sponge Bob. I forget whether he said it or Squidward. Whoever claims it, the phrase is stated when someone goes way out, acting, thinking or stating they are going to do something that you know dang well will never happen.
Your response (via Sponge Bob/Squidward) -- “Good luck with that.” Say it in Sponge Bob’s voice for greater effect. You’ll smile to yourself.
Similar to “oh, well,” you’ll find yourself feeling better when you use “good luck with that.” Again, it recognizes futility. Perhaps you recognize the insanity of a coworker’s proposal. “Good luck with that” is a good response. Someone suggests they’re going to do something you know they will never attempt. “Well, good luck with that” is the perfect response.
Long ago, I was Tony Romo, overusing the word “outstanding” to the point where my wife asked me to stop, which I did. I loaded up on all those other marvelous and delightful choices.
While futility phrases are good to recognize when the walls block you, experimenting with language takes you in the opposite direction – expanding, growing, learning, adding humor, embracing changing circumstances. Pull out your Thesaurus (the old fashioned one or online, it doesn’t matter). Play around. See what you can create that is fresh and new. If it doesn’t click and you have to acknowledge your futility, “Oh, well.”