Spiral-down Talk

Too often we participate in “spiral-down” talk.  This is talk that adds no value and does little to make any sort of positive contribute.  Spiral-down talk is negative in nature and can quickly grow or spiral down to a place we never wanted to go.  It spreads like wild-fire jumping from person to person and can be attractive and addicting if we are not careful.   

Often this talk starts with one simple negative comment which then leads to another, and another, and another and before we know it we’ve wasted a lot of time and energy on nothing worthwhile.  For this reason we must be mindful of our talk and make sure we are never participating in the spiral down kind.  We can squelch spiral down talk by recognizing it and changing the way we are talking.    

Spiral-down talk limits possibility, options, opinions, and hope.  Spiral-down talk can ruin attitudes, moods, friendships, relationships, appetites, motivation, good feelings, happiness, contentment, peace and many, many more things.  Overall spiral-down talk is generally selfish and lazy as it can negatively impact those around us while providing zero solutions or positive contributions. 

Sometimes it is easy and obvious to recognize spiral-down talk and sometimes it is harder.  Being vigilant and asking ourselves, does what I just said or what I just heard add to my possibilities or limit them, can help us identify it.  If we find we are trapped in a spiral down talk web we can get out by simply changing what we are saying and by viewing things in a new or different way.

Spiral-down talk takes its toll on each of us every day.  Though it is not easy, we can work to avoid and eliminate it from our lives by thinking differently, in a positive way, and finding possibilities in all situations of life.  Doing this will add value, make a contribution, and have a meaningful impact on our life.