Ever noticed how the way you talk about your habits affects how well you stick to them?
The words we use—whether out loud or just in our own heads—can either help us follow through or make things feel harder than they need to be.
That’s why I was so struck by the book Magic Words by Jonah Berger. It highlights how small shifts in language can have a huge impact on our behavior. And in this week’s episode of To Your Health Podcast, I’m breaking down three simple tweaks you can make to the way you talk that will help you build habits that last.
1. Turn Verbs into Nouns
Think about the difference between these two statements:
👉 “I run sometimes.”
👉 “I’m a runner.”
One feels optional. The other feels like part of your identity.
When you frame habits as part of who you are rather than just something you do occasionally, you’re far more likely to stick with them. This works for just about anything:
✔ “I meal prep sometimes” → “I’m a meal prepper.”
✔ “I work out occasionally” → “I’m someone who prioritizes movement.”
On the flip side, if you’re trying to quit a habit, avoiding identity-based labels can help. Instead of saying “I’m a smoker” (which ties the behavior to your sense of self), saying “I smoke sometimes” creates distance from the habit, making it easier to change.
2. Swap “Can’t” for “Don’t”
Ever told yourself, “I can’t eat that” or “I can’t skip my workout”?
That phrasing makes it feel like some external force is controlling your decisions—and let’s be honest, when something feels off-limits, we naturally want it more.
Now compare that to:
✔ “I don’t eat after dinner.”
✔ “I don’t skip workouts.”
It’s a small tweak, but saying “I don’t” instead of “I can’t” puts you in the driver’s seat. It shifts the narrative from feeling restricted to making a choice—and that sense of autonomy makes it much easier to follow through.
3. Replace “Should” with “Could”
Think about how these two statements feel:
❌ “I should work out more.” → Feels like a rule. Leads to guilt and resistance.
✅ “I could work out more.” → Opens up possibilities. Sparks ideas.
When you say “I should,” it immediately feels like you’re failing. You’re either doing it right or doing it wrong, and that black-and-white thinking makes it easier to give up.
But “I could” invites curiosity. It encourages problem-solving instead of self-criticism. Instead of shutting down, you start thinking:
✔ “I could go for a short walk.”
✔ “I could take the stairs instead of the elevator.”
✔ “I could try a morning workout and see how it feels.”
This one small change makes taking action feel easier—because instead of pressuring yourself, you’re exploring options.
Final Thoughts
These language shifts may seem tiny, but they make a big difference in how we approach habits.
By reframing the way we talk about our behaviors—both to ourselves and others—we can make consistency feel natural instead of forced.
Which of these tweaks resonates with you the most? Try one today and see how it shifts your mindset.
Listen to the episode:
