5 Phrases That Stagnate You

The word surrounds the thought and both determine the behavior. For this reason, the words we say reflect and at the same time determine how we see reality. It is important that you are aware that there are words and phrases that stagnate you, just as there are others that promote your growth.

The most complicated thing is that many of those phrases that stake you, often become expressions of daily use that are used mechanically, with little awareness of everything they imply. Without realizing it, by using these phrases you are limiting your vision of things and preventing yourself from evolving.

There are many of those phrases that stagnate you and that have made a career. They are common places whose function is to minimize the effect of many of our mistakes  or to close us to the analysis of our own actions. For this reason, it is convenient to reflect on them and avoid their use. Some of those phrases are as follows.

“That’s how I am and that’s it”, one of the phrases that stagnate you

This is one of those expressions that are used frequently to avoid observations or to close us to the recognition of our own failures. Saying “That’s how I am and that’s it”, or “I’m how I am, period”, means reaffirming an error, a problem or a mistake, on many occasions.

Of course, each one is as it is. However, we are all faced with the possibility of change when we realize that we are walking on the wrong path. The problem is that there are those who do not want to realize this.

This is one of the phrases that stagnate you because the expression itself creates an impregnable wall. We resort to the right to be as we are and not to reaffirm respect for ourselves, but as a pretext to continue making a mistake. You gain a lot if you stop using expressions like that.

“Everybody does it”

This is another one of those phrases that is used very frequently to justify mistakes or validate behaviors that are not appropriate. This expression is based on the idea that something is legitimate simply by the force of the majority.

What is sought with this type of expression is to dilute individual responsibility in collective irresponsibility. It is clear that the person knows that they are talking about something that is not appropriate, but the use of the majority takes away the gravity of the fact.

“It’s the fault of…”

Blaming others is not only useless, but also destructive and self-destructive. What is at stake there is a desire to get rid of personal responsibility and, at the same time, the intention to lash out at another to avoid commitment in the face of situations.

If someone made a mistake, the way out is not to point it out and blame it for it. When we are really interested in overcoming a situation, it is appropriate to detect where the mistake was and how it can be overcome. Likewise, if we were or are personally involved in it, surely we also have a degree of responsibility in the matter, either by action or omission.

“It has always been like this”

This is one of those phrases that stagnate you and prevent you from moving forward. To hide behind the fact that some situation, behavior or way of doing things is the customary and therefore valid, means refusing to find new solutions and new paths.

It is very common for these types of expressions to be used as a formula to resist change. Likewise, it is not unusual that they are also a way to justify mistakes or injustices. That things have traditionally been done in one way does not mean that they cannot be done in another way.

“I know how things are”

This is the typical phrase of some people who have managed to gather a certain experience, or a certain background in some field. Surely that allows them to speak more properly, or to manage their field of knowledge with greater skill. However, it does not mean that they know everything and have nothing to learn.

Nobody in the world knows so much that they are closed to learning. In fact, if you do not close yourself to the new, knowing a lot is also a factor that generates more questions, or questions of greater depth. Being open to knowledge is a way to evolve.

These are not the only phrases that stagnate you, but they do constitute a good example of the most common. We do well to avoid such expressions and push ourselves a bit. Creating new ways of saying what we think undoubtedly contributes to growth and change.