What Happens When You Name Something?
My son was watching an old episode of Mr Rogers Neighborhood earlier this week about dinosaurs. Mr Rogers explained that he'd learned that the word dinosaur comes from Latin roots and means Terrible Lizard. Douglas didn't seem particularly struck by the news, but it reminded me of a discussion I'd had a few weeks ago about what happens when you name something. I've done a bit of thinking about it, and some research. I've found two parts that intrigue me ... the meaning behind a name, and what happens at the moment the name is given.
Chances are the first name you learn is your own, given to you by your parents at birth. My first name, Bethany, comes from biblical Hebrew and means "House of Figs" (or dates). (Try this resource if you're not aware of the origin or meaning of your name.) Some believe that naming a person determines much of their personality and character, while others don't attach much significance to it at all. Either way, most find that choosing a name for a person is a responsibility, given that they'll have that name for life ... there is a feeling of finality attached to it. A definition or label has been given.
The idea of labeling brings me to my second point (and the more intriguing one to me) ... what happens at the moment the name is given? Let's step aside from naming people for a moment and look at other things, ideas, and goals. What happens when you name a feeling you're having? A group or movement or ideal? A religion? A goal? A promise? It seems to me that giving the name sets the anchor and defines the boundaries. Corporations often spend millions to make sure you believe their name means something very specific. Movements tied to one person often become weakened or diluted over time, once the founder dies. Name a group, and its goals and membership become distinct and focused. Name a goal or make a promise, and it becomes a concrete thing to work towards.
As coaches, we're often reminded of the "power of a word", and encourage our clients to affirm things out loud, or commit them to paper. There IS power in a name, and once you have spoken it, it's out there for all to see and hear. When you name a goal, make sure it's a worthy one that you believe in. Name a feeling, and it's planted ... it's up to you to feed it, starve it, or give it away. Name a child, and be prepared to explain why once they're grown! Choose your names wisely, and watch what happens when you speak them out loud!