“I’m anxious to get on with this project.”
“I’m just dying to see you!”
“That dinner was to die for!”
a killer presentation!”
Why do people talk and write like this? What’s all this about anxiety and dying?
Don’t say you’re anxious to do anything. You may be eager or excited, but mentioning anxiety just builds, well, anxiety. Even if you are anxious, don’t mention it. Many years ago I worked with a media coach who advised that, before a live television broadcast, her clients repeat, “I’m not nervous. I’m excited!” I followed her advice and sailed through many TV and radio shows.
As for those casual references to death and mayhem, think about what you’re saying when you use them. True, they are colloquialisms, but they conjure images of violence. How about, “I’d love to see you!” instead of “I’m dying to see you.” or “That was an amazing dinner (or presentation or whatever).” Maybe it was a great presentation, but was it really to die for? Are you really dying to see that new movie? How could you see it if you died?
Words have meanings and meanings matter. The next time you catch yourself saying or writing something whose literal meaning is negative, stop and replace the negative with a positive. Use the magic of words carefully and it will bring you results to live for.