Language is full of words that can shape our lives based on how we interpret them. We seek words to help us live a better life, words like happy, meaningful and joyful. When you are ready to develop a list of words to live by, it might be best to start with the basics.

These five powerful words to live by aren’t fancy, but they have the ability to make a huge impact.

1 – No

“Half of the troubles of this life can be traced to saying yes too quickly and not saying no soon enough.” – Josh Billings

Saying no might seem a bit negative but when used correctly it can be a powerful tool in helping us to live our best life.

No, allows us to stop doing things while on autopilot. Adding “no” to our vocabulary will give us the power to think about the request and determine if the request will add value to our life.

It helps us to protect our time and our energy, so we have enough of both to pursue what matters.

2 – Yes

“If someone offers you an amazing opportunity and you are not sure you can do it, say yes. Then learn how to do it later.” – Richard Branson

While learning the power of no is important, saying yes still plays a critical role in our personal growth. Saying yes isn’t about saying yes to more things, especially if you don’t want to do them.

‘Yes’ has power when you say yes to the right things. To make yes powerful in our lives, we must find the courage to do things we want to do. We need to do those unknown things that are scary and risky but somehow we still feel pulled to do.

When we answer no because of poor timing, lack of money or the inability to see how it will work out in the end, we are robbing ourselves of the opportunity to live our ideal life.

It is never the right time, there is never enough money, and we will never be assured of the fairy-tale ending. The lesson here is to say yes anyway.

3 – Believe

“Believe you can and you’re halfway there.” – Theodore Roosevelt

To do, you have to believe. Believing in yourself, confidence, self-efficacy or whatever we call it, knowing without a doubt that we are competent, and our chances of success are high is a big driver to achieving the desired outcome.

Believing so powerful that professionals studying this niche say that believing in yourself rates above talent in achieving success.

So how do you create a strong belief in yourself? Through experience, that’s how. Doing, learning, and doing some more creates the confidence to keep going because each time you get a little bit better. So believe and then do.

4 – Persevere in all you do in life

“The brick walls are there for a reason, the brick walls are not there to keep us out. The brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something. Because the brick walls are there to stop the people who don’t want it badly enough. They’re there to stop the other people.” – Randy Pausch, The Last Lecture

We took a risk and said yes, we believe we can, and now the real test starts – and there will be a test.

We define perseverance as “the continued and steadfast effort to do or achieve something despite difficulties, failure, or opposition.” Perseverance is not doing something over and over again while expecting a different result.

When we believe we can, we must also believe we have the strength, determination and resolve to keep fighting for the things that matter. We shouldn’t give up or give in, we need to simply find ways to give more of ourselves and put it to work for us.

5 – Love

“Sometimes the heart sees what is invisible to the eye.” – H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

Love is the common denominator of mankind. Whether it’s romantic love, familial love or friendly love, a long and happy life depends on love. It’s a universal feeling that contributes to our security, self-esteem, and connectedness to others.

Studies have shown infants in orphanages who were not loved, meaning they were ignored and received very little affection or human touch, would die young from no known physical cause.

Orphans who received constant attention and touched with affection grew into adults that we’re able to function in society and maintain healthy relationships.

When we bask in the feeling of love, we become more compassionate, grateful and optimistic. It is love that gives us the belief that we can and the ability to persevere towards a life that matters and is worth living.

What words do you live by that have the ability to change lives?