Negatives

A list of Toxic Vocabulary words.
Notice when you or other people use them.
But: Negates any words that are stated before it.

Try: Presupposes failure.

If: Presupposes that you may not.

Might: It does nothing definite. It leaves options for your listener..

Would Have: Past tense that draws attention to things that didn't actually happen.

Should Have: Past tense that draws attention to things that didn't actually happen (and implies guilt.)

Could Have: Past tense that draws attention to things that didn't actually happen but the person tries to take credit as if it did happen.

Can't/Don't: These words force the listener to focus on exactly the opposite of what you want. This is a classic mistake that parents and coaches make without knowing the damage of this linguistic error.
Toxic phrase: "Don't drop the ball!"

Likely result: Drops the ballBetter language: "Catch the ball!"

Toxic phrase: "You shouldn't watch so much television.

"Likely result: Watches more television.Better language: "I read too much television makes people stupid. You might find yourself turning that TV off and picking up one of those books more often!"