Want More Yes in Your Life? Try These 10 Phrases...#87

The Homework Trick

Last week, I had a standoff with my 10-year-old daughter over homework.

She sat at the kitchen table, pencil in hand, staring blankly at her math worksheet like it were a personal attack. I asked gently,

“Do you want to start now?”

She didn’t even look up. Just said:
“No.”

Honestly? Fair. I wouldn’t want to either.

But instead of pushing harder, I changed my words:
“Would five minutes be enough for you to just look at the first two questions?”

She paused. Shrugged. “I guess.”
Five minutes turned into twenty. The worksheet? Finished. No tears, no yelling, no drama.

That tiny shift in how I asked made all the difference.

And it got me thinking… how many conversations at home, at work, in life, spiral or stall simply because we chose the wrong words?

The truth is, people don’t always respond to logic. They respond to how something feels.
And often, the right words create the right feeling, safety, control, and possibility.

Based on the bestselling book Exactly What to Say by Phil M. Jones, here are 10 everyday phrases that speak to the subconscious mind - the part of us that makes most decisions before our logic ever catches up.

Whether you’re managing a team, pitching a client, or trying to get a child to do homework, these magic phrases will help you guide the conversation without pushing, pressuring, or pleading.

1. The Soft Start: “Would You Be Open-Minded To…?”

Let’s go back to that math moment.
I didn’t ask, “Will you do your homework?” - I asked,
“Would you be open-minded to looking at the first two questions?”

Why it works: People love to see themselves as reasonable, open-minded, not stubborn. So asking this way makes “yes” the easy answer - whether you’re talking to a kid, a client, or your spouse.

Try this at work:
Would you be open-minded to a slightly different approach on this?

2. The Excuse Revealer: “Just Out of Curiosity…”

Ever been ghosted after a strong pitch or proposal?
Instead of chasing or confronting, say:
“Just out of curiosity, what’s stopping you from moving forward?”

This line is calm, non-threatening, and it invites honesty. It’s what I use when my daughter says she’ll “think about” something and I want to dig deeper without making her defensive.

Try this with clients:
Just out of curiosity, what would you need to see to say yes?

3. The Objection Disarmer: “If I Can ____, Will You ____?”

Sometimes my daughter says she can’t do something because she’s “too tired” or “can’t find a pencil.” So I say:
“If I can find the pencil, will you get started?”

In business, it’s the same logic. Objections are often surface-level. Remove them, and you reveal the real reason or get a yes.

Try this in sales or support:
If I can match that delivery window, will you move ahead?

4. The Time Commitment Trick: “When Would Be a Good Time?”

You know what doesn’t work?
“Do you have a second?”
You’ll always get a “Not right now.”

What works better?
“When would be a good time for us to chat about this?”

Whether it’s getting your child to clean their room or your boss to review your pitch deck, this phrase assumes yes, just not yet.

Try this with colleagues or friends:
When would be a good time to catch up on that project?

5. The Progress Nudge: “What Happens Next?”

Let’s say you’ve made your case. The other person nods, agrees, and then… crickets.

Instead of waiting, say:
“What happens next is we’ll wrap this up with your email. What’s the best one to use?”

You’re not being pushy, you’re just guiding the next step. It works beautifully with indecisive buyers and even distracted 10-year-olds.

Try this with hesitant prospects:
What happens next is we book a quick intro call. How’s tomorrow?

6. The Gentle Call-Out: “I’m Guessing You Haven’t…”

Imagine: Your daughter promised to pack her backpack the night before school. It’s still unpacked.

Instead of frustration, try:
“I’m guessing you haven’t gotten around to packing yet?”

It’s light. It lets them save face. And it usually gets them moving faster than a guilt trip.

Try this in follow-ups:
I’m guessing you haven’t had time to read the proposal yet?

7. The Curiosity Hook: “I’m Not Sure If It’s for You, But…”

This one is perfect when you’re sharing something, an idea, a tool, a product, and don’t want to seem pushy.

“I’m not sure if it’s for you, but I found this tool that cut my admin time in half.”
“I’m not sure if it’s for you, but it helped with math practice.” (yes, I’ve said that.)

Why it works: The phrase “I’m not sure if it’s for you” lowers resistance, and “but” shifts focus to the benefit.

Try this when networking or selling:
I’m not sure if it’s for you, but this could make your week 10x easier.

8. The Vision Builder: “Just Imagine…”

This is where things get exciting. Want someone to commit to a change? Help them see it.

“Just imagine finishing your homework before dinner and having the rest of the evening free.”
“Just imagine logging off on Friday knowing this is finally handled.”

Why it works: Every decision happens twice, first in the mind, then in real life.

Try this in motivation or leadership:
Just imagine how confident you’ll feel when this project is out the door.

9. The Identity Frame: “There Are Two Types of People…”

Let’s be honest, no one wants to be in the wrong group.

“There are two types of people: those who make excuses, and those who find a way.”
“There are two types of people: those who leave homework until bedtime, and those who knock it out early.”

People instantly self-identify and usually choose the better version of themselves.

Try this in coaching or parenting:
There are two types of people: those who drift and those who decide.

10. The Illusion of Choice: “You Have Three Options…”

When my daughter’s stuck in indecision, say, what to wear, eat, or do, I offer three choices.
She feels in control, even though I’ve gently guided her toward the best one.

“You can skip it and rush later, stress out and need help, or knock it out in 10 minutes now. What feels easiest?”

In business, it works the same. Frame your preferred option last and make it the obvious choice.

Try this in sales or parenting:
You can delay, redo later, or just test this now. What feels easiest?

Final Thought: Use Your Words Like Keys, Not Hammers

We’re all trying to get things done, persuade, guide, motivate, and connect.
But too often, we push harder instead of speaking smarter.

What I’ve learned, whether in work meetings or at the kitchen table, is this:

People don’t want to be told. They want to be invited.
The right words are that invitation.

You don’t need a louder voice. You need better phrases.

Which of these will you try first?

Drop a comment below, I would love to hear what worked (or didn’t) in your daily standoffs, pitches, or parenting wins.

Credit: DALL.E created by me.

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