5 Words That Can Kill Your Success (2025 Edition)
Language has power. In 2025, where your message can go viral—or be ignored—in seconds, how you speak (to others and yourself) matters more than ever. But often, it’s not the big, dramatic statements that trip us up. It’s the little words. The sneaky ones that fly under the radar… and quietly sabotage your success.
Here are 5 words that I’ve seen kill momentum, dim vision, and derail action—especially for entrepreneurs, coaches, creators, and leaders.
1. “TRY”
“I’ll try to launch that next month.” “I’ll try to reach out.” “I’ll try to show up.”
Try gives you an out. It’s not commitment. It’s a buffer. In 2025, there’s too much noise for “try” energy. You either commit or you don’t. Replace it with action: “I am,” “I will,” or “I’m doing.” You don’t need to be perfect. But you do need to be in motion.
2. “SHOULD”
“I should post more.” “I should build my list.” “I should get on camera.”
Should creates guilt, not progress. It’s a word that says “I’m not doing enough” without offering clarity or confidence. If something matters, turn the should into a decision. If it doesn’t, let it go and stop pretending it’s a priority. Be honest about what you *want* to do—not just what you “should” do.
3. “HOPEFULLY”
“Hopefully this funnel works.” “Hopefully people sign up.” “Hopefully I make sales.”
Hope is not a strategy. Not in business. Not in marketing. Not in your mission. You need data, testing, consistency, and belief. If you find yourself saying “hopefully,” take a breath and ask: What part of this can I own? Shift from hope to ownership: “Here’s what I’m doing to drive the outcome I want.”
4. “SOMEDAY”
“Someday I’ll write that book.” “Someday I’ll start that podcast.” “Someday I’ll launch that product.”
Someday isn’t on the calendar. Someday is safe. It’s the language of ideas with no action. Want to change it? Put a date on it. Even if you move it later, commit to a real timeframe. Someday only becomes real when it lives in your planner—not your imagination.
5. “BUT”
“I really want to launch this… but I don’t have time.” “I love this idea… but what if it fails?”
“But” kills dreams mid-sentence. It negates everything that came before it. Here’s a simple trick: replace “but” with “and.” Watch what happens:
“I want to launch this, and I need to manage my time better.”
“I love this idea, and I’m nervous it might not work—but I’ll do it anyway.”
See the shift? You can hold two truths at once. That’s called being human. “And” opens possibilities. “But” shuts them down.
The Words You Use Shape the Results You Get
In 2025, building anything that matters—your business, your platform, your audience—requires clarity, commitment, and courage. That starts with your language. Pay attention to it. Call yourself out when you slip into safety words. And remember:
What you say becomes what you believe. What you believe becomes what you do.
Want better results? Start with better words.
Ready to launch your idea with confidence? Learn how we use storytelling and strategic webinar funnels to move audiences to action inside Kued.co — the all-in-one platform for digital creators, coaches, and course sellers.
