There’s a thing in fiction writing where you are taught to listen to everyday conversations for the truth.
The idea being that while people aren’t lying they don’t always say the truth. And when it comes out you realize that is not only true but something you can hold onto and use.
This concept extends to the words that come out of your own mouth and through your own fingers.
Once in a while you say or write the Truth. It is there to help you.
Two examples:
– Back when I had the cybersecurity job, I said several times, “I’m a librarian,” when describing the job function. It was accurate for the scenario and also told me something about myself. I thought about it and understood that was true about how I operate. So when I turned to developing programs I was okay with the volume approach of presenting lots of material to my audience. Sometimes you reveal your natural inclinations to yourself when you speak the truth.
– When recording sales videos I spoke the phrase, “join our crew.” As soon as I said it I liked it and thought it was a good and serviceable tagline. It also helped shape my own thinking about the customer base. So now when I think about customers I am not getting them or tricking them I am inviting them to join our crew of equals. Again, the phrase came out of my mouth and it helped me. I think it humanizes the offer and makes it friendlier. It makes me comfortable which makes it easier for me to see and so on.
Truth doesn’t fall out of your mouth or mind every couple minutes. It is meant to instruct if you pay attention to it.
The examples above aren’t earth shattering. They are refinements and that’s okay. But we are in the communication business and this kind of knowledge about how it actually works is part of the joy of doing it and a growth function.
And be advised – this is how iconic headlines, bullets and even product names come to be. That is more rare than the refinements but they can be worth millions of dollars!