Using Language As Motivation
No more will I talk about debt reduction.
That doesn’t mean the blog is changing or I am abandoning my goals. What it means is that instead of talking about debt reduction, I am going to commit to the idea of debt elimination. Up to this point, I’ve kind of used the two phrases interchangeably, depending on which happened to come out of my brain and onto the keyboard. But from now on, I will try my very best to talk about debt elimination and debt elimination only.
Because language is a powerful thing. My goal is to eliminate our debt, not simply reduce it. I want to use language that furthers my goals and pushes me, not just allowing me to coast where I am. It doesn’t have to take a whole lot of extra effort to reduce debt, because to reduce you only have to make progress, no matter how slight. Eliminating it, that’s a whole other story. And that’s the goal – elimination. So my language will reflect that.
We will eliminate my spouse’s student loan debt by the end of 2008. We will eliminate our car loan in March 2009, and my student loan debt by December 2009. And that will be life changing, in and of itself. Elimination. That’s the plan. Reduction is important and of course, if you don’t reduce you can’t eliminate. But in my mind, I want my eye to always be on the end goal – elimination. As I said, language is a very powerful thing. And I want to harness that power and use it to propel me to the finish line.
Although as an aside, the category for these posts stays debt reduction, because going through and completely changing the category would change some of how things link together and I don’t mess with the back end of my blog for fear of killing it accidentally. I am nothing close to computer savvy. 
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June 25th, 2008 at 8:31 am
You know, words mean things. Using language to help keep yourself on track is a very smart way to alter your thinking (which then alters your behavior).
Thoughts turn into words, which turn into actions, which turn into habits, which turn into character…and character determines your destiny.
June 25th, 2008 at 9:09 am
It’s amazing how much language can affect our thoughts. This is a good idea because it will change your mindset.
Good luck with your elimination goals! I’m sure you can do it.
June 25th, 2008 at 11:12 am
Excellent point–and you are right, we don’t really want to reduce, but eliminate. I don’t write about our money goals at my blog, but I have to share with someone!
I was paying a big chunk last week on the first credit card to get attention (it happened to be the largest amount) and then added up all the reduction on the total debt (other than the house) since January, and we have paid off over 14,000. so far this year! I was amazed, and thrilled. It was way more than I thought we were paying off. That first card is now only about a month away from being paid off, then it’s on to the last two.
I enjoy reading your blog; it helps keep me focused on the goal!
TM
June 25th, 2008 at 12:29 pm
Simple and powerful. I am also talking “elimination” vs “reduction”, and even growth and savings too! Good luck!
June 25th, 2008 at 2:25 pm
You make a wonderful point. I, too, have been concentrating on reduction. That word means I never expected it to go away, just for it to be smaller. Now I’m turning around, just like you, and will focus on debt elimination. Thank you for helping me see that.
And I know you already mentioned it, but seeing “Posted in debt reduction” made me chuckle.
June 25th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
Nice choice of words.
Don’t they paint just an entirely different picture in your mind? Grab hold of that new picture and Go For IT!
June 25th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
awesome! you are right on!
June 25th, 2008 at 3:26 pm
English is a wonderful language. I just came across a similar situation this morning and I can totally relate to what you’re saying.
June 25th, 2008 at 7:24 pm
Totally agree with this post, we have committed ourselves to debt elimination by Dec 2009. It is a great feeling to have this goal as we know it will mean we can move forward instead of always paying for the past. Reading your posts help keep me focussed, keep up the great work.
June 30th, 2008 at 11:34 pm
Excellent use of positive thinking!
However, I hope that our friends who blog about “reducing their weight” don’t get carried away and begin eliminating their weight!
Great motivational article!
July 12th, 2008 at 10:49 pm
I agree! Our debt has been eliminated, but I think I will make sure I use elimination for my readers. Many people are so used to debt that it becomes a way of life. It doesn’t have to be that way. Nice post.
August 2nd, 2008 at 8:03 pm
Great Post!
Funny how words alone can change the outlook on a subject.