You're Not Just A Survivor...You're A Winner!
CJ Harlan has set out to respectfully replace the label of "Survivor" with a title of "Winner" in her personal life, in her books and in her work with others.
To understand CJ's decision for making this change happen, please read the excerpts from her book,
MORE THAN, Recounting The "MORE" I AM...soon to be released:
Growing up with labels can be difficult, whether they are viewed as positive or negative. They influence what we think, how we feel and ultimately how we behave everyday...whether we consciously feel the affects of labeling upon impact, or not.
Take the label "Survivor", what does it mean to you?
What image comes to mind?
What other words do you associate with this label?
What emotions do you feel?
Do you have a personal connection with this label?
How does this label affect you?
The definition of survivor, in short is: a person or thing that survives; one who outlives another; a person who continues to function or prosper in spite of opposition, hardship or setbacks.
The definition of winner, in short is: a person or thing that wins; a victor.
Even though the act of surviving is something to be celebrated...I found out, for me, that there still was a negative association lingering when I referred to myself as a "Survivor". The label seemed to focus more attention on where I had been and what I had to overcome, than it focused on where I am and where I was going. When I made the conscious choice to start replacing the label of "Survivor" with the title of "Winner" it made a huge difference in what I thought about myself, how I felt and how others related to me.
If you are a survivor of cancer, of sexual abuse, of death, you can relate to what I mean when I say..."how people relate to me".
Wouldn't you rather call yourself a "Winner"?
Try it on!
Let the title take affect...
What does it mean to you to be a winner?
What image comes to mind?
What other words do you associate with this title?
What emotions do you feel?
What other connections do you have to winning?
How does this title affect you?
For years, I used the habitual label of "Survivor" to refer to myself as a woman who faced and continued to overcome the abuse I endured throughout my life. People I coached through their personal growth also freely attach this label to themselves, until now. Now, I choose to use the title "Winner" to replace the label of "Survivor" for myself and with those I coach. This simple change up has made a huge positive impact in my life. Knowing this, I urge you to start thinking of yourself as a Winner, because...YOU ARE A WINNER!
(MORE THAN, Recounting The "More" I Am by CJ Harlan copyright 2012)
To understand CJ's decision for making this change happen, please read the excerpts from her book,
MORE THAN, Recounting The "MORE" I AM...soon to be released:
Growing up with labels can be difficult, whether they are viewed as positive or negative. They influence what we think, how we feel and ultimately how we behave everyday...whether we consciously feel the affects of labeling upon impact, or not.
Take the label "Survivor", what does it mean to you?
What image comes to mind?
What other words do you associate with this label?
What emotions do you feel?
Do you have a personal connection with this label?
How does this label affect you?
The definition of survivor, in short is: a person or thing that survives; one who outlives another; a person who continues to function or prosper in spite of opposition, hardship or setbacks.
The definition of winner, in short is: a person or thing that wins; a victor.
Even though the act of surviving is something to be celebrated...I found out, for me, that there still was a negative association lingering when I referred to myself as a "Survivor". The label seemed to focus more attention on where I had been and what I had to overcome, than it focused on where I am and where I was going. When I made the conscious choice to start replacing the label of "Survivor" with the title of "Winner" it made a huge difference in what I thought about myself, how I felt and how others related to me.
If you are a survivor of cancer, of sexual abuse, of death, you can relate to what I mean when I say..."how people relate to me".
Wouldn't you rather call yourself a "Winner"?
Try it on!
Let the title take affect...
What does it mean to you to be a winner?
What image comes to mind?
What other words do you associate with this title?
What emotions do you feel?
What other connections do you have to winning?
How does this title affect you?
For years, I used the habitual label of "Survivor" to refer to myself as a woman who faced and continued to overcome the abuse I endured throughout my life. People I coached through their personal growth also freely attach this label to themselves, until now. Now, I choose to use the title "Winner" to replace the label of "Survivor" for myself and with those I coach. This simple change up has made a huge positive impact in my life. Knowing this, I urge you to start thinking of yourself as a Winner, because...YOU ARE A WINNER!
(MORE THAN, Recounting The "More" I Am by CJ Harlan copyright 2012)
How can we change the affects of labels in our daily life?
I think CJ says it best when she wrote:
"Labels are inevitable. They are what we use to define what we know and describe what our senses experience. The name we give to an object is a label, the word we use to describe a feeling is a label, the word we use to define someone (or our perception of another) is a label. To over simplify, labels are words.
Without words we would have to resort back to drawings, noises, body language and facial expressions to communicate. So, given that most will opt for words over drawings to convey a message, how can we better use our labels to generate better results? The answer is to change the meaning and motive behind the message.
Advertisers use this concept all the time to sell us on an idea or product. Why not use this same technique to positively influence the way we think and relate to one another, and to ourselves? Let's send each other messages that sell us on the benefits of choice labels and better communication.
I know, from experience, that we can. We can be as effective as a top ranking infomercial, or split second super bowl ad, in reaching our desired end result of any conversation...WHEN we learn how to stop, think and edit ourselves before we speak.
We are, by nature and by conditioning, emotional beings. So, I realize that changing our ways in which we choose to communicate will take time. The key to making this change happen, however, relies heavily on our commitment to making positive change a part of our everyday lives.
If we know ourselves better; if we know what pushes our buttons; if we acknowledge what can help us achieve what we want out of life; and if we learn how to see clearly and own our own emotions (motives) for saying anything...then we will be able to choose words that create results, rather than labels that cause reactions."
(MORE THAN, Recounting The "More" I Am by CJ Harlan copyright 2012)
To learn more about how you can implement positive change in your life Contact CJ for a free Personal Power Meeting.
To reserve a first edition signed copy of all CJ Harlan Books as they are released fill out the Contact CJ form and indicate that you would like to be added to the CJ Harlan Book Club and contacted for future release dates.
I think CJ says it best when she wrote:
"Labels are inevitable. They are what we use to define what we know and describe what our senses experience. The name we give to an object is a label, the word we use to describe a feeling is a label, the word we use to define someone (or our perception of another) is a label. To over simplify, labels are words.
Without words we would have to resort back to drawings, noises, body language and facial expressions to communicate. So, given that most will opt for words over drawings to convey a message, how can we better use our labels to generate better results? The answer is to change the meaning and motive behind the message.
Advertisers use this concept all the time to sell us on an idea or product. Why not use this same technique to positively influence the way we think and relate to one another, and to ourselves? Let's send each other messages that sell us on the benefits of choice labels and better communication.
I know, from experience, that we can. We can be as effective as a top ranking infomercial, or split second super bowl ad, in reaching our desired end result of any conversation...WHEN we learn how to stop, think and edit ourselves before we speak.
We are, by nature and by conditioning, emotional beings. So, I realize that changing our ways in which we choose to communicate will take time. The key to making this change happen, however, relies heavily on our commitment to making positive change a part of our everyday lives.
If we know ourselves better; if we know what pushes our buttons; if we acknowledge what can help us achieve what we want out of life; and if we learn how to see clearly and own our own emotions (motives) for saying anything...then we will be able to choose words that create results, rather than labels that cause reactions."
(MORE THAN, Recounting The "More" I Am by CJ Harlan copyright 2012)
To learn more about how you can implement positive change in your life Contact CJ for a free Personal Power Meeting.
To reserve a first edition signed copy of all CJ Harlan Books as they are released fill out the Contact CJ form and indicate that you would like to be added to the CJ Harlan Book Club and contacted for future release dates.
