The next time you’re going through a tough time and someone cheerfully chirps, “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade,” or “It’s always darkest before the dawn,” try to resist the urge to shove a quinoa muffin up their nose. They probably mean well.
When people don’t know what to say or struggle to express themselves, they often fall back on tired, overused expressions: clichés.
Clichés once held some truth or wisdom, but their overuse has drained them of meaning. Instead of providing comfort or insight, they can make the speaker or writer sound superficial, which doesn’t do much for effective communication.
We’re stuck with clichés, though. “Think outside the box.” (What box?) “A chain is only as strong as its weakest link.” (So replace the link.) “You can’t have your cake and eat it, too.” (Actually, you can.) “If the shoe fits, wear it.” (Good advice.) “You can’t judge a book by its cover.” (But you can get a pretty good idea from the title.) “Keep your nose to the grindstone.” (Ouch.) “It’s not rocket science.” (Most things aren’t, thankfully.) “Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today.” (I’ll think about it tomorrow.) “Let’s hit the ground running.” (Let’s just try to stay upright.)
Our lives are flooded with clichés, especially in business and advertising.
“With a game-changing, outside-the-box solution, we’re offering a value-added product that seamlessly integrates into your ecosystem, driving a paradigm shift that takes your business to the next level. It’s a win-win!”
OK, I made that up.
But do clichés ever tell us anything useful?
Real communication, whether in business or personal life, is challenging (but when the going gets tough, the tough get going). Over-reliance on clichés can confuse the message and sometimes even irritate.
The best way to communicate is with your own words, which are more likely to hit home than regurgitated phrases (clear as day). Sure, it takes time and thought, but it’s better than sounding shallow or risking offending someone with stale advice.
That said, sometimes clichés do fit (like in a column about clichés).
But if you find yourself slipping into overused expressions, you’re probably barking up the wrong tree. Don’t throw in the towel – head back to the drawing board, burn a little midnight oil, and come up with your own original way of expressing yourself. Then put your best foot forward, give it your all, and speak from the heart.
After all, no pain, no gain.
And hey, while you’re at it, don’t forget to stop and smell the roses.
Faith Wood is a professional speaker, author, and certified professional behaviour analyst. Before her career in speaking and writing, she served in law enforcement, which gave her a unique perspective on human behaviour and motivations. Faith is also known for her work as a , with a focus on thrillers and suspense. Her background in law enforcement and understanding of human behaviour often play a significant role in her writing
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