Words have the power to do two things: (1) to make and (2) to mar. The impact of words on a person depend on how it was used but that does not change the fact that it is word. A person can be motivated to achieve more success with words of encouragement and praises while on the other hand a person's self-esteem, confidence, performance, zeal, etc can be marred and torn apart with negative/harsh comments. Words of motivation from parents, friends, employees, colleagues and so on can help someone who has lost hope to regain it.
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There are young boys and girls out there who have low self-esteem as a result of the toxic environment where they were brought up. They grew up in an environment where their voice cannot be heard. The people around them (parents, neighbors) are quick to talk down on them when they make mistakes rather than choosing the other option of speaking softly and motivating the young lads. You'd be shocked if you hear the tone and the choice of words some parents and guardians use in communicating or scolding their children. They choose words that can break a person and the more the child is in such environment the more his or her confidence will continue to diminish.
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Even as adults, negative words get to us just as the positive ones. I have worked with a supervisor in a company some years back where I was spoken to using some deragotaory words for a mistake I made which can actually be corrected. The words hurt badly that I felt like I should quit the job that very moment because the words kept on ringing in my head till the close of work on that day. This is the effect that negative words can have on a person. Well, I didn't let it affect me too much even though it wasn't easy. There are other people who experience this kind of toxicity in their relationship where either of the partners is fond of using harsh words on the other. This can affect the mental health of a person if it is not handled with proper care.
Surviving in a toxic environment where you are constantly being talked down can make you to doubt your ability because your self esteem is being trampled upon. The more you are being criticized in a negative way you will become a shadow of yourself leading to a reduction in your productivity. Think about it twice before you use words to destroy people. Take some moment to think about how you will feel if you were on the receiving end of the hurting words. Learn to use words that make people and not the ones that hurt or damage them.
