WORD OF THE WEEK: Pernicious

Summary: Today's word, pernicious, comes complete with the usual etymology, pronunciation and definition. But it also includes a bonus list of synonyms and a special writing exercise just for you! Read more ...

This week's word may be a bit troubling, but don't let it cause you to lose any sleep. Entering the English language in the 15th century, pernicious (PER - NI - shus) originally meant wicked—but has since evolved to mean merely harmful or injurious, a lesser degree on the evil scale.

It's gained popularity in usage again, especially in fictional literature. (Think Twilight and Harry Potter series.) In fact, the implications of the word pernicious are fatal, as in "causing fatal injury or harm." Other synonyms are deadly, lethal, toxic and noxious. While each of these words is subtly different in meaning, their similarities are close enough to be interchangeable at times. Hence, the synonyms!

Probably my favorite synonym for pernicious is destructive, as it's much closer in meaning than the others—without the extreme connotations for wickedness, of course. Pernicious, to me, always implies a slow and steady kind of annihilation, such as the Biblical reference (by some translations) to "the pernicious snake" in the Garden of Eden.

Here's your writing assignment for the week: Write at least a paragraph about something pernicious in your life, be it a thought process, an illness or an ever-present, competitive co-worker. Then comment here to share how being honest about it makes you feel.

© KiKi Productions, Inc. 2010

TRULY SPEAKING: Last Week's Contest Still Running

If you thought I'd tergiversated on last week's contest, think again! There's still one winner's spot open—and one more word usage left to be guessed. It's okay to cheat in this contest and use an aide (like an online dictionary), especially if you tell on yourself and share that resource with the rest of us!

Congratulations again to Fellini69. To claim your prize—one free hour of speech coaching to work on any communication issue you choose—simply contact me directly at Kealah@KiKiProductionsInc.com.

I'm looking forward to hearing from you, Fellini69. ... And I'm looking forward to hearing from the rest of you on ANY of the Words of the Week or any other communications points you want to discuss on Beyond Talk. You are never alone when it comes to questions about how to improve your speaking, writing or conflict resolution skills. So don't tergiversate about it. Get to the point today!

(c) KiKi Productions, Inc. 2009

WEEKLY UPDATE: Pouring Thoughts onto the Page

Today is not my day. Do you have them, too—the days when you oversleep, spill your coffee, fight with your spouse over space in front of the mirror, and lose your keys? Sigh! These are the days when I write a lot of "sighs" in my journal.

Journaling can be an amazing way to communicate: Not only do you practice authentic communication in print (and have an opportunity to try out new words you're just learning or play with punctuation and double-check your spelling), but you learn how to get honest and real with yourself. Once you know who you are, you can share that wonderful self with the world.

I took some time today to get real with myself by writing about it. Then I took a moment to apologize to my husband for snapping at him! I explained what was going on with me, internally, (now that I knew, thanks to my journal). Then I listened to his side. That is true communication.

Author, consultant, and fellow blogger Barbara J. Henry has a recently-published book about journaling for beginners called Journaling: Twenty-Plus Reasons Why You Should Start Now. She also blogs each week about the emotional aspect of communication (fear, forgiveness, stress, even quietude). At the end of this month, Barbara will be guest blogging on Beyond Talk to share this wisdom. I'm excited about this, because it should correspond to the launch of my own re-vamped website and e-course, "Speak Your Truth," which also contains tips for beginning journalers.

Have you ever journaled or tried to journal? What was that like for you? Remember, sharing is the first and last step in the journaling process, so DO TELL!


(c) KiKi Productions, Inc. 2009

WEEKLY UPDATE: Tweet me, friends! (or 3 Tips to Better Communication via Social Networking)

My friend Roger wants a place where he can write freely—a place where he can voice his thoughts uncensored, just like on his Facebook page (where only a select handful of us have made the “friend” cut to share in the dialogue). If blogging or blog commenting doesn’t hold enough of a two-way appeal for you, consider the more informal options of social networking sites.

Tweeting on Twitter and leaving messages on your Facebook friends’ walls is just one way to effectively practice and improve the way you write and speak. Here’s how:

1. Re-Read Your Posts. Pay attention to the updates & replies that you post. Do friends & followers often respond with corrections to your grammar or punctuation? Do you notice mistakes in these areas? Make a personal list of the areas you need to improve. (Hint: If you write conversationally, you’ll have the same mistakes in print as you do speaking in person!)

2. Play with Your Replies. Change your status updates & your replies—especially on friendly Facebook—by rewording what you’ve already written. Re-Tweet as needed: People will comment on your multi-posts, providing you with valuable feedback that informs the way you write & speak.

3. Find Me! Follow me on Twitter (as KealahParkinson—I just joined today!) & become my fan on Facebook (as Kealah Parkinson-KiKi Productions). I’ll continue to offer tweet tips & friendly info. that’s customized to your needs if you share in the dialogue now.


(c) KiKi Productions, Inc. 2009

Improve Your Skills with the Help of Your Fairy Godmother

If the Fairy Godmother of Communications came to visit you today and granted you just 2 wishes, what would you have her improve about the way you write or speak? Why?

As a professional speaker, writer, editor, and coach, even I have an answer to this question—because there's always room for improvement, no matter who you are: I’d work on my confidence. And then I’d focus on the way I articulate—not just increasing my vocabulary, but also improving the way I organize my thoughts to find the right words at the right time (and say them in the right order!).

Confidence is one of the key factors in relating to an audience—whether it's an audience of thousands or merely one. (Ever get the jitters when asking your boss for a raise or approaching a critical co-worker for a favor?) But no matter how confident you are, that can only get you so far if you use the wrong words to convey your message.

And speaking of messages, Beyond Talk will soon receive a makeover. Thanks to feedback from our own fairy godmothers—YOU—this blog will launch a new and improved version this month. Check back to see Beyond Talk 2.0!

Speaking of spirit,
Kealah

(c) KiKi Productions, Inc. 2009