Out-positive / Encouragement url
For a friend who just got into a top business school
- You sure have come a long way.
- I’m not surprised that you succeeded, I always knew you had it in you.
- Shoot for the moon, and give it all you’ve got.
- You’re as smart as a whip.
- There’s no limit to what you can accomplish if you put your mind to it.
- What more could you ask for?
- With this under your belt, a golden future can be yours.
- I have absolute faith in you.
- It’s the opportunity of a lifetime.
- I don’t know how you accomplished so much in such a short period of time.
For a friend who just got into a top business school
In-negative / Confusion url
In the middle of riot
- What the hell is going on around here?
- I just don’t get it.
- It’s a free for all.
- What’s it all about?
- I just don’t know what to make of it.
- Things are happening fast and furious.
- We better high tail it out of here.
- I’ve never seen anything like this.
- What in the world is going on?
In the middle of riot
Out-negative / Push away url
Leave me alone
- I can’t be bothered.
- I couldn’t care less.
- It’s none of your concern.
- This is not my problem.
- Don’t try to pin this one on me.
- Give me some space.
- I don’t want to hear it anymore.
- I could care less.
- Nobody asked you.
- Don’t give me an ultimatum.
- Who cares anyway?
- Don’t twist my arm.
- Don’t start in on me.
- I think you’d better leave now.
- It’s none of your business.
- I think I've had enough.
Leave me alone
Out-neutral / Advice url
Lighten up
- Don’t work so hard.
- Do it the easy way.
- Lighten up.
- Don’t take it so seriously.
- Why make things more complicated than they really are?
- Take the easy way out.
Lighten up
In-neutral / Caution url
Telling someone a secret
- The less said about it the better.
- Don’t breathe a word of it.
- I was sworn to secrecy.
- Mum’s the word.
- This could be something that I might come to regret.
- This might be against my better judgement.
- I have to ask myself, why am I doing this?
Telling someone a secret
Out-neutral / Observation url
About Others – Positive-1
- He knows the ropes.
- He knows everything there is to know about it.
- He’s young at heart.
- He has a friend in high places.
- They’re rolling in dough.
- He’s going to take on the whole world.
- It’s a whole lot for him to handle, and considering what he’s been through, I think he’s holding up pretty well under the circumstances.
- She can take care of herself.
- It’s just another example of hometown boy makes good.
- You’ve got to give them credit.
- He’s a chip off the old block.
- They’re like two peas in a pod.
- He’s got money to burn.
- He’s in a class all by himself.
- He’s a man of means.
- He’s an upstanding citizen.
About Others – Positive-1
In-negative / Confusion url
Trying to remember why you made a certain decision last year
- I can’t explain it.
- I’m not so sure.
- I don’t know what to say about it.
- I’m not sure exactly.
- I haven’t the slightest idea.
- I can’t put my finger on it.
- I don’t have a clue.
- I don’t remember off the top of my head.
- Your guess is a good as mine.
- That’s the thing I don’t understand.
- How can I be sure?
Trying to remember why you made a certain decision last year
Out-neutral / Advice url
Trust me
- I won’t steer you wrong.
- Please take my advice.
- I’ll know when the time is right.
- Heed what I am saying.
- Do as I say, not as I do.
- Take a tip from me.
- That’s a solemn promise.
- Now pay attention to what I’m trying to tell you, and I want your undivided attention.
- Mark my words that as sure as I’m standing here, what I’m saying is the honest truth.
- Just stick with me.
Trust me
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
Out-negative / Anger url
I am angry at you
- I’ve had it up to here.
- What is this crap?
- I’m fed up to here.
- You’re making me see red.
- You make my blood boil.
- I’m fit to be tied.
- You’ve got some nerve.
- I feel like I’ve got steam coming out of my ears.
- What do you think, that I’m a complete idiot?
I am angry at you
Out-neutral / Advice url
Perspective-1
- You don’t know what’s in another person’s head until you’re standing in his shoes.
- It shouldn’t be taken lightly.
- You had it right the first time.
- Would that be the worst thing in the world?
- There’s nothing new under the sun.
- We’ve got our whole life ahead of us.
- See what a difference it makes?
- That’s all that matters.
- Don’t give it a second thought.
- There are exceptions to every rule.
- If you want my two cents, here is how I see it.
Perspective-1
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