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8 Popular Phrases That Have Society Brainwashed
Ditch these common cliches that don’t make sense anymore.
When words are repeated frequently, people tend to accept their message more readily. If we take a moment to consider what we are saying, we might be surprised at how wrong some of these mantras are.
Here are eight examples of common sayings that need to be revised.
1. “If you can’t beat them, join them”
This is terrible advice. It suggests laziness and encourages giving up instead of persevering. It tells the listener to stop trying and simply join their opponent. This is a blatantly unhealthy way to approach challenges. Instead, we should put effort into things that we find important.
Perhaps the revised version should be “If you can’t beat them, reflect on why then try again later”
2. “Curiosity killed the cat”
This phrase discourages curiosity and exploration, suggesting that seeking knowledge or asking questions will lead to trouble. In reality, curiosity is a great sign of intelligence. If we stop asserting our curiosity we stop learning and growing.
A better alternative would be:
“Curiosity is where the best inventions start”
3. “Good things come to those who wait”
While patience is a virtue, this cliché implies that waiting passively will bring rewards. Yes, there is power in being able to slow down and let things unfold, but if you hesitate too often you are going to miss many opportunities.
Revise this one to:
“Good things happen when you move toward your goals and desires”
4. “The customer is always right”
In business this mindset is outdated. If you always treat customers as if they are right it does them a disservice. Why should people only be given a candy-coated interaction? People would benefit more if a team member offered expertise.
The updated version could be
“The customer always has a need, and we should do our best to fulfill it”
