Intention and Possibility: Part 2 of a 3 Part Series on the Language of Possibility

September 14, 2009 · by Joanna Paterson · in

I introduced the concept of the language of possibility in the first part of the series.

In this second part I’m going to focus on those times when you might be using it to evoke a sense of possibility and potential in your readers.

The third part will look in more detail at language patterns, including ways you can change your own language patterns to help tap into your sense of what’s possible.

Actually I’m not going to talk about language patterns at all today, rather I’m going to focus on things you can do before and after you write to increase that sense of possibility.

9 Things You Can Do with the Language of Possibility Without Writing at All

Set Your Intention

1. Get clear on where you want to get to

Think about the kind of state you want to evoke in your readers.  That’s probably a shift, a journey even, from one state to another.

It might, for example, be to move someone from feeling fearful to feeling confident.  From believing that they have lost their voice, to being confident and assured in self-expression.

2. Focus on that intention

Keep that (positive) intention in mind when you’re writing.

It’ll make it much easier for you to write without inhibition, and without those pesky inner critics getting in the way.  It’ll also make it much easier for you to find the words that will make the shift you’re looking for.

Trust that your unconscious mind will find the right words to take you there.

More on writing with intention here: How Intention Adds Fuel to the Writing Fire

3. Believe that the end result is possible

The language of possibility will flow when you hold the belief that the change you’re looking for is possible.

Including the belief that the person you’re writing for has all the resources they need to realise that potential.

Manage Your State

That work you do on intention is part of managing your own state before you start to write.  It’s very hard to write about what’s possible if you’re feeling stuck or demotivated yourself.

Here are a few things you can do to change your own state to one where things start to feel possible.

4. Focus on your positive intention

It’ll help you get into the right frame of mind – a positive and upbeat frame of mind, where things start to feel possible (and maybe even just a little bit playful ;-) )

(I know there’s a bit of repetition here, but honestly it makes such a difference I had to say it again.)

5. Shake off any stuck feelings

You’ll have your own techniques for doing this.

Play for a while on Twitter.  Go for a walk.  Dance around the room.  Sing loudly.  Blast yourself with some music that can’t help but make you feel anything is possible.

(Here’s one of the pieces of music that does that for me… sorry can’t embed it – it’s Shine by Take That – video on YouTube here).

6. Smile

Corny I know, but it really does make a difference to your writing.  Smiling softens your language, which will help you create that sense of possibility.  Even if you don’t believe me, it might be worth a try ;-)

Edit with Feeling

You can carry your intention through to the editing as well as the writing stage, looking and listening for the words and patterns that generate that feeling of possibility.

7. Listen for enticing rhythms

Tune in to rhythms, patterns, repetition, playfully enchanting words.

Cut out the clutter so the patterns you’ve got make more of an impact.  Look for ways to enhance the rhythms so the words play and dance with possibility in your reader’s head.

8. Recognise the impact

Tune in to your own reactions (even the subconscious ones like a tap of the foot or a nod of your head).  Pay attention to the places where you smile, laugh and nod with recognition, where you hear yourself saying “yes” in response to the words.

Chances are your readers will feel it too.

9. Go with the flow

Notice any points where there’s a jarring feeling, perhaps where you feel yourself tense up or resist what you’re reading.  Tune in closer to the word and language patterns to see what might be causing that resistance (more on language patterns in the next post.)  Swap those phrases for words that are more creative, playful, beguiling…

It’s editing with a difference :-)

I know this kind of teaching post doesn’t offer the same opportunity for contributions as other more open pieces… (Normal service will be resumed soon, I promise)

I would as ever appreciate input and suggestions though.   It would be useful in particular to know how you manage your state before you write, especially if you’re writing to influence the moods and feelings of others.  Are there particular techniques you use to get into the write/right frame of mind?

Photo Credit and Postscript:

The photo of the hibiscus is by Rosa Say.

Now Rosa is a friend and contact of mine on Flickr, but I found it by searching (as I often do) for photos on Flickr CC.  The hibiscus was the most stunning picture I saw on the first page.

Thank you Rosa for using tags on Flickr with such care!  Although the photo is titled Keia Manawa meaning “Right now. This is the time. This is it. The here and now.” Rosa has also tagged it with linked words like self-leadership, belief, conviction, and yes, intention.  Thank you Rosa!