In this episode of The Power of Choosing, Trudi and Claire discuss the subtle yet impactful habit of over-apologizing with phrases like 'I'm sorry' and how it can manifest as playing small and people-pleasing behaviour, particularly among women. Sparked by an anecdote from a squash game, the conversation flows to the energy and consequences behind these phrases.Key insights include:~ Why phrases like 'I'm sorry' and 'Does that make sense?' can undermine your confidence and presence~ The difference between a genuine apology and a superficial one~ How over-apologizing can affect your personal and professional life~ Strategies to reframe your language to be more empowering~ The importance of awareness in spotting and changing these patterns**Why this matters:** Over-apologizing and using minimizing language can obstruct your personal and professional growth by affecting how others perceive you and how you perceive yourself. Recognizing and shifting these patterns allows you to show up more confidently and authentically.**Challenge:** Pay attention to when you say 'I'm sorry' and other minimizing phrases this week. Practice replacing 'I'm sorry' with lighter phrases like 'Oops, my bad' or ask directly, 'Are there any questions?' to foster a more assertive communication style.If you would like to get in touch with either Claire or Trudi, you can reach us both at [email protected]#emotionalintelligence #SubtleShifts #WomenInBusiness #Empower #PeoplePleasing #LanguageMatters #OwnYourPower #ConfidenceBuilding