Out-positive / Encouragement url
For a friend who was just promoted to be head of sales
- I always knew you had it in you.
- You’ll go right to the top.
- If you play your cards right, nothing will stand in your way, and you will be very successful.
- This is a big moment for you.
- That’s a lucky break for you.
- Here’s your big chance.
- They must think a lot of you.
- You’re going to do a bang-up job.
- More power to you.
- Hit the ground running.
- Give it your all.
For a friend who was just promoted to be head of sales
Out-neutral / Advice url
Prepare
- You’ve got to plan for emergencies.
- Once the cat is out of the bag, anything can happen.
- You have to get ready for the possibility that afterwards your feelings may change.
- An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
- Expect the unexpected.
- Be prepared for the worst.
- Did you take that into account?
Prepare
In-neutral / Acceptance url
Losing an election
- I guess I had it coming to me.
- It’s just wasn’t in the cards.
- You win some, you loose some.
- I guess I’ll just have to learn to live with it.
- I think I got the picture.
- That’s about the size of it.
- He was bound and determined to do it.
- He won, hands down.
- He’s a better man than I am.
- It’s was a forgone conclusion.
- The show’s over.
- That’s just the way it is.
- It was a missed opportunity.
- I had a feeling that would happen.
Losing an election
Out-negative / Anger url
Stop what you are doing-1
- Now cut that out.
- Will you cut the crap?
- I’m not going to permit that type of activity happening in my house.
- Cut it out, stop that right now.
- Hold it right there.
- I’m telling you once and for all.
- See that it doesn’t happen again.
- Watch your step.
- If you want to know how I will react if you do that, just try me.
- Drop the subject.
- If you think I’m going to sit back and let you say things like that to me, you have another guess coming.
- That will be enough of that.
- Don’t you dare!
- Just leave it alone.
- Woah, hold your horses!
- You must be out of your cotton-picking mind!
Stop what you are doing-1
Out-positive / Concern url
After a friend found out that a mistake he made led to internet identity theft
- I feel bad for you.
- You’ve been taken to the cleaners.
- You left yourself wide open.
- You’re as white as a sheet.
- Your temperature is quite high, and I can feel by your forehead that you’re burning up, so why don’t you just lie down and take it easy for a while until you feel better.
- You’re an old softy.
- Now you’ve really gotten yourself into a pickle.
- I don’t like the sound of this.
- You’re nothing but a push over.
After a friend found out that a mistake he made led to internet identity theft
Out-neutral / Negotiating url
I don’t understand your point
- That doesn’t make any sense to me.
- That has nothing to do with it.
- I don’t know what you’re talking about.
- Where are you coming from?
- You’d have to be a fool to think that.
- Anyone with half a brain knows that.
- That’s a little hard to swallow.
- That's neither here nor there.
- You’re being simple minded.
- I’m not convinced.
- What does that have to do with the price of tea in China?
- That’s out of the question.
- We don't see eye to eye.
- Do expect me to take that seriously.
I don’t understand your point
In-negative / Explaining url
Refusing to lie on a tax return to save money
- What did you expect me to do?
- That’s not my style.
- Why should I take the risk?
- I do what I have to do.
- I’m doing it just to be on the safe side.
- It’s taking all my will power to resist.
- I was holding on by a thread.
- I think it's the best thing to do.
- My hands are tied.
- It’s out of my hands.
- I’m conflicted about it.
- I shudder when I think of the downside of doing this.
- I’d rather play it safe.
- It's the right thing to do.
- I just can’t take the chance.
- The risks far outweigh the benefits.
- The way I look at it, I really don’t have much of a choice.
- I can’t see myself doing that.
Refusing to lie on a tax return to save money
In-positive / Determination url
Marathon runner
- This is excruciatingly hard, but I’m committed to finishing it until the bitter end.
- I do what I have to do.
- I was bound and determined to do it.
- I’ll never be more ready than I am now.
- I’m going for broke.
- No rest for the weary.
- I’m ready to tough it out.
Marathon runner
In-positive / Surprise url
Learning that a friend is a thief
- I’m shocked to say the least.
- I suspected it was true, but I didn’t put 2 and 2 together.
- I was so shocked because it happened right out of nowhere.
- The truth comes out at last.
- I didn’t expect it at all.
- I never would have suspected it.
- Speaking of the devil.
- Good grief.
- Ahah, just as I suspected.
- What was that all about?
- In all my years I never thought I’d live to see the day when you would say something like that.
- The cat is out of the bag.
- That came from out of left field.
- I am shocked beyond belief.
Learning that a friend is a thief
Out-positive / Encouragement url
For a fellow worker who is hesitant to present a new idea to the boss
- There’s nothing to be afraid of.
- You have nothing to worry about.
- Don’t sell yourself short.
- What’s holding you back?
- What could go wrong?
- Your fears are your worst enemy.
- I'm sure they're going to appreciate your trying.
- You have nothing to lose, and everything to gain.
- At the very worst, they won't use your idea, but it’s certainly not going to hurt anything.
- What's the downside?
- Grab the brass ring.
- Maybe they’ll take you up on it.
- What’s the worst case scenario?
- Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
- No pain, no gain.
- Speak up and make yourself heard.
- You don’t have to sell yourself to me, screw up your courage and say what you have to say to the powers that be.
- Just remind yourself that speaking up is not a bad choice, mind you.
- Don’t worry, they’ll understand.
- They’re on the up and up, and they’re not going to pull any punches.
- You need to stand up for yourself.
- I think you should jump at the opportunity.
- It never hurts to ask.
For a fellow worker who is hesitant to present a new idea to the boss
Out-positive / Agreement url
I followed your advice, and told her that I was sorry, and that ended the argument
- That’s just what I said.
- That’s what I figured.
- I know that only all too well from personal experience.
- I knew you’d understand.
- That’s more like it.
- No harm done.
- That was a step in the right direction.
- I think that made the most sense.
- I’m glad you gave it a try.
- That is very cool.
- I'm happy that it all worked out for the best.
- Been there, done that.
I followed your advice, and told her that I was sorry, and that ended the argument
In-positive / Confidence url
Preparing a new military strategy
- The coast is clear.
- Don’t you worry about it.
- Heaven helps those who help themselves.
- Everything’s under control.
- I know what the score is.
- I’m ready, willing, and able.
- He who hesitates is lost.
- Things are falling into place.
- I just had a brainstorm.
- We’re entering the home stretch, and I think we’ll soon see that all our hard work will soon be handsomely rewarded.
- It’s like shooting fish in a barrel.
Preparing a new military strategy