I believe it was John Stossel who once wrote something like this, “The most important thing is the next thing.” I’m remembering it as something his late father said or something John said in a memoir at the time of his father’s death. Tragic. What I am sure of is that it’s a simple truth that plays in the background constantly. Always be working on something, towards something or through something. Not you? Then, consider the alternative!
Maybe it’s just working on your next blog post, working towards finishing a book you’re reading or working through a recent “life event.” It could be the mountain you’re climbing over, the partner you’re bonding with or the story you’re putting out. The speech you’re putting together, the next decision you’re putting into play or the unneccessary meeting you’re putting off.
As if you didn’t notice, this article is really about phrasal verbs. Phrasal verbs are verb + participle combinations (whether intransitive or not) that describe what you’re thinking or doing. They are micro-metaphors,also. What are yours saying about you? I have always thought of them as being relevant to a box, e.g. in, on, around, through, but that may not always be the case.
What I’m doing by throwing a bunch of them out is searching for which phrasal verbs you use to change. Ultimately, thoughts are all about whether you’re down or you’re up; going in or coming out; buried under or climbing out. What are you running from or moving to? I don’t know the psychological principles behind their use, but I do know that they can be limiting or empowering, stagnant or persuasive. Most importantly, they can be changed, and changing them can lead to change in your life. Which phrases do you find yourself using now a days?
Phrasal verbs are used in all kinds of persuasion. Let’s take sales, for example. “Buying,” in particular. Top salespeople use the word “buy” at an astounding rate. Now, they don’t just say, “buy buy buy buy.” They are more creative about it - are you buying into what I’m saying here? Abide by, blow by blow account, by a hair’s breadth, by all accounts, by all appearances, by all means, by a mile, by and by, by and large, by any means… Need I go on? I’ve heard all of these and more used naturally in normal conversations by salespeople. I wonder what happens when we are inundated by phrases like this?
And finally, whether you’re feeling up or you’re feeling down, the most important thing is the next thing. So get going on it!
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I hope that I may always desire more than I can accomplish. -Michelangelo
There are two tragedies in life: one is losing one’s heart’s desire, the other is gaining it. -Friedrich Nietzsche
Books referenced:
NTC’s Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs and other Idiomatic Phrases
NTC’s American Idioms Dictionary
Photo Credit: Picasaweb user nizzlebop
