Words are powerful because they have the ability to convey meaning, express emotions, and influence people’s thoughts, feelings, and actions. Words have the power to inspire, motivate, and even persuade individuals to do things they may not have otherwise considered. They can also have a profound impact on our emotions and beliefs.
For example, words can create a sense of belonging, comfort, and security when used to express love, empathy, and compassion. On the other hand, words can also cause fear, anger, and anxiety when used to spread hate, discrimination, and prejudice.
Furthermore, words can be used to create a sense of identity and shape our perception of the world around us. The language we use to describe ourselves, others, and the events that occur in our lives can influence how we see ourselves and our place in the world.
In summary, words have the power to shape our emotions, beliefs, and actions, and they play a crucial role in how we communicate and understand ourselves and the world around us.
Currently Arsenal are sitting pretty at the top of the Premier League ( this may change ) and confidence is high in the squad.
However the manager Mikel Artetas has renamed those players who will be on the bench and not in the starting 1X. For decades these individuals where known as “Substitutes” players who could be swopped if others had an injury or were not performing during the 90 minutes. Some could be tactically swopped to waste time in the last 5mins and extra time periods.
The term Sub / Substitute is not a title a player would chase prior to a match. A sub / Substitute is a person who did not make the first team therefore could be seen as a second level player not good enough either one who had fallen from grace or a keen new player on the way up.
Until now … at Arsenal they now have a new identity … a new mission … a new purpose they will be known as “IMPACTERS”.
This is a subtle change however does send a message to everyone on the team and outside Arsenal. The term “impacter” has a different meaning. It would suggest that things will change in the game due to the impacter.
It is a clever strategy and would work just as well if they were struggling in the relegation group … maybe even more so.
The former England Rugby coach Eddie Jones adopted a similar strategy and labelled his players in the same situation ( subs ) “FINISHERS”.
Artetas acknowledged that a name change on its own may not make an impact however using the term consistently over time will create a new mindset.
Words are important and do shape your unconscious. If you think about words you use to describe yourself and more importantly words you could change with those around you … what are some you could try that will make them feel not like substitutes.