If you have kids, you know how often they use “like” in a sentence…like, it could be every single sentence! And if you hang around your kids and their friends much, or even watch social media, you may find that “like” has creeped into your vocabulary far more often than ever before.  In fact, words like, “so” and “like” have become the new “therefore,” joining “um” as a preferred way to not pause and breathe while talking.

My challenge to you today is to try to pay attention to how often you use “like” to string thoughts together, rush through a sentence, or fill a moment of silence.

In fact, if you are around people from an older generation, you will note that they don’t use like as we do, if at all.  If you watch news channels or good interviews, you won’t hear a lot of likes – it’s rarely necessary to convey a concept or experience.  It becomes a crutch and creeps into conversations, taking away the value of well thought sentences.

Use this blog as a reminder to take inventory of your words and use “like” as a signal that you can do better, find other words, or set up sentences in a fresh way.  Try it.  It’s NOT easy! 

What does eliminating “like”, “so”, and “uh” do?

·      Makes you sound more in control; smarter!

·      It removes the crutch and forces creative conversation.

·      It makes you slow down.  

Join me in putting “like” back into its rightful place…

I like him.

I like that dish.

I like cold weather.

I like writing things that make people better communicators!

Download our Bad Lingo Bingo card and see how you do!