"Just" a New Technique

By Joe Lester

This technique is to minimize of the impact of the words or situation stated. It is a great technique because of its simplicity and the way “just” is used naturally in the English language.

An Arkansas Utilization:

(Underlined just common usage, Quotes the minimization)
A: I just wrecked my new Dodge Ram.
B: That’s just horrible.
A: What’s even worse is I just never got around to insuring it.
B: Well it was “just” a truck.
A: Yeah.
B: And it is “just” money.
A: Yeah.

Actual experience while writing this:

Setting: I am writing this is a coffee shop while sitting in a large unreserved meeting room to get away from some of the distractions. The rules of occupying this room is; “who ever get there first has rights to it as long as it is not reserved”. This room is unreserved. Through the door I see a large group come in and they are rearranging the tables to accommodate themselves. I catch eye contact with one of the people and say “you can have this room you are a large group and I am “just” one person. I gather my stuff and leave to let them occupy the room. One person is important, but I used “just” to minimize my position so they would not have any reservations to my offer. This group was so appreciative that they bought my coffee.

Therapeutic Utilization:

Client: I am so stressed, I have a final that I have to study for and I have not been able to concentrate.
NLPer: Well it’s “just” a test you have to take.
Client: Well that’s true, but if I don’t pass it I will fail the course.
NLPer: It is “just” a grade.
Client: But I would not get my degree.
NLPer: There are a lot of degrees out there it is “just” a degree.
Client: But my future; I have planned.
NLPer: Those are “just” plans. But now let’s see if we can get those plans to work.
Client: Ok, Strangely I feel a little calmer. I guess I’m ready.

 

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