Language That Binds, Language That Loosens

Some words describe things. Other words generate the future. This distinction is introduced in The Three Laws of Performance; the two types of language are called descriptive and generative. 

Descriptive language is useful to describe the world, but it also tends to lock things in place. When we use it to describe our life, it can cause us to live into a fixed, default future. Some examples might be, “I’ll never afford a house,” or “I’m afraid of public speaking,” or “My life stinks.” 

Generative language is useful to create a new future, and it has the power to change how we relate to our present. When we use it to describe our life, it opens up new possibilities and can cause us to live a generative future. Some examples might include, “I’m working toward buying a house,” or “I get to practice courage in public speaking,” or “My life is not yet where I’d like it to be.” 

Neither type of language is necessarily good or bad. Each has its particular purpose. 

This week, I invite you to notice how you speak about things:

In what parts of my life do I tend to use descriptive language? In what parts of my life do I tend to use generative language? In what parts might it serve me better to practice using more generative language? In what parts might it serve me better to practice using more descriptive language?   

God bless,
Dan