Working Up

by Dwayne Phillips

There are words we can say that change situations and sometimes even our lives. “Up until now” are a few words that can erase reputations from our past.

I have learned a few magic words through the years. Say these words aloud, and the situation changes.

A few magic words are “up until now.” Say these words after you say something that you have never been able to do. For example,

I have never been able to be on time

becomes

I have never been able to be on time up until now.

This implies that from now on, I will be able to be on time.

Too often, we allow our past to define our future. Perhaps there were good reasons why you were never able to be on time. For example, I coached kids sports for many years. There were kids who were always late to practice. These kids were 10 or 12 years old. Kids that age don’t drive; their parents bring them to practice. The kids were late because their parents were late. The kids, however, caught the reputation of always being late. Reputations like that tend to stick to us into our 30s, 40s, and beyond. “Up until now” can help erase a reputation.

A few more examples,

I have never been able to finish anything (up until now).

I cannot eat a balanced diet (up until now).

I cannot help being so sarcastic (up until now).

Try adding these three words to the end of your cannots and never-been-able-tos.