Out-neutral / Negotiating url
Try to negotiate correctly & fairly-2
- Don’t beat around the bush.
- You’re playing hard to get.
- I’m going to hold you to it.
- By the look in your eyes you look as if your mind is a thousand miles away.
- You’re putting words in my mouth.
- Don’t hold it over my head.
- You’re stretching it a bit.
- Is there something you’re not telling me?
- Face up to it.
- Would you slow down, I can’t get a word in edge wise.
Try to negotiate correctly & fairly-2
Out-positive / Concern url
To a friend whose new job is harder than he expected
- How’s this working out for you?
- Perhaps you got more than you bargained for.
- Your old job is a hard act to follow.
- You have to give it time for the dust to settle, to see if it works out.
- Things sometimes get worse before they get better.
- This is a chance for you to show your mettle.
- Rise to the challenge!
To a friend whose new job is harder than he expected
In-negative / Doubt url
Looking for keys that were lost in the park
- It’s like looking for a needle in a haystack.
- Maybe we’ve been looking in the wrong place.
- Maybe we’re barking up the wrong tree.
- I think we’re wasting our time.
- Sometimes you just have to know when to call it quits.
- Let’s just call the whole thing off.
- After all this effort, I no longer know if I’m coming or going.
- I’m totally tuckered out.
- I think it’s a lost cause.
- Let’s do something else for a while and just keep my eyes open for it.
Looking for keys that were lost in the park
In-positive / Confidence url
Preparing for a test
- I can do it with my eyes shut.
- I know it like the back of my hand.
- I’ve got it under control.
- I think I’ll be able to muddle through for a while.
- I made a lot of progress.
- I can cope with it.
- It will be a breeze.
- I'm holding my own.
- My head is still above water.
- So far so good.
- Every few hours I just run out of steam and need to rest awhile until I get my energy back.
- I’m holding my own.
Preparing for a test
Out-positive / Agreement url
Do you think we’d be healthier if we used the staircase instead of the elevator?
- You couldn’t be more right.
- Of course!
- I bet you’re right.
- It’s worth a try.
- I’m all in.
- I’ll go along with that.
- Now that's a great idea!
- That stands to reason.
- That makes so much more sense.
- You have a good point.
Do you think we’d be healthier if we used the staircase instead of the elevator?
In-negative / Explaining url
Coming late for an appointment
- I just plum forgot.
- It slipped my mind.
- Forgive me, I just didn’t remember.
- I didn’t do it on purpose.
- I hope you understand.
- Please don’t take it personally.
- I knew I forgot something.
- I’ve been burning the candle at both ends.
- I’ve been crazy busy lately.
- I have a lot on my plate.
- The time just slipped through my fingers.
- I just have no sense of time.
Coming late for an appointment
Out-positive / Encouragement url
To a friend who just scored the winning shot of a basketball game
- I think you’ve been doing your homework.
- You’ve done it again.
- You saved the day.
- I’ve really got to hand it to you.
- That’s my man.
- You’ve got the magic touch.
- It’s your lucky day.
- Your timing was perfect.
- The opportunity landed in your lap, and you made the most of it.
- Way to go!
- Attaboy!
To a friend who just scored the winning shot of a basketball game
Out-positive / Agreement url
I think that Bill Jones, who is running for Mayor, will make a better Mayor.
- You could make a case for that.
- I think you might have a point.
- I couldn't agree with you more.
- That makes the two of us.
- That's my sentiments exactly.
- I have a sneaking suspicion that you may be right.
- That's as plain as day.
- I'm with you.
- What you're saying has the ring of truth.
- I’ll take your word for it.
I think that Bill Jones, who is running for Mayor, will make a better Mayor.
Out-positive / Encouragement url
To a fellow worker who was scolded for being late too often
- Between you and me, I think you got off pretty easy this time.
- You put up a good front.
- You and I know that you can do better than that.
- That’s to be expected.
- I’d say you got off easy.
- It’s not earth shattering.
- What did you expect?
- You need to stand up for yourself.
- It happens to the best of us.
- You and I know that you can do better than that.
To a fellow worker who was scolded for being late too often
Out-neutral / Advice url
Strategize-2
- Don’t poke your nose into other people’s business.
- You may not be crazy about the way it tastes, but at least it curbs your appetite.
- It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.
- Pretend it never happened.
- What’s the bottom line?
- Do it the easy way.
- One hand washes the other.
- Make the best of the situation.
- Hope for the best, prepare for the worst.
- Attitude is 90% of success.
- Let’s float a trial balloon and see what the reaction is.
- To ensure your strategy works, make sure all your ducks are lined up.
- Here is my proposed/suggested game plan.
- Stay focused.
- Keep your eye on the ball.
- Don’t let yourself get sidetracked.
- A word to the wise is sufficient.
- You have to know how to choose your battles.
Strategize-2
In-negative / Confusion url
Trying to understand current events
- Can you help me figure out what’s going on?
- I don’t know who to believe anymore.
- Frankly, none of this make sense.
- I’m totally baffled.
- I don’t have a clue about what is going on.
- I’m totally dumbfounded.
- It puzzles me.
- I don’t know what to make of it.
- What do you make of it?
- What does it all mean?
- How has it come to this?
Trying to understand current events
Out-neutral / Advice url
Move on
- Let it slide, let it go, don’t pay it any mind.
- Don’t give it another thought.
- I’d just not think about it if I were you.
- Make the best of it.
- Make the best of the situation.
- Don’t get bogged down.
- A change of scenery will do you a world of good.
- Don’t cry over spilled milk.
- Don’t pay it any mind.
- Don’t focus on the negative, look at the bright side.
Move on