Seth Godin wrote a cautionary post last week on “weasel words”.

The upshot? Telling the truth is a better tactic than trying to hype, evade or downright lie. Telling the truth builds trust. It can pique interest and help connect you to the right people.

I’d like to expand Seth’s definition a tad to include words that evoke even shades of weasel. In professional services, this means making statements that anyone could (and probably has). Pronouncements that are so bland and expected, they convey nothing.

Here are a few examples of wasted weasel words (typos left intact and names disguised), from live websites of boutique professional service firms:

At some point, you do it. You decide to dive into the deeply risky in order to produce something meaningful. The bet-your-reputation project. The showcase speech. The book that challenges conventional wisdom. It’s exciting, scary and anything but safe.

Want to increase your shot at success?

Try learning from stunt artists—those incredibly nimble physical actors who leap from moving motorcycles, explode into flames and dodge speeding missiles.

Let's face it. Most professionals are afraid to fly our freak flag. To clearly and baldly show our clients what makes us uniquely compelling. It feels safer and more comforting to be like everyone else.

But those who make a lasting impact in their field, who we remember fondly, are often those who are authentic, even if that makes them a bit of a character.

In the last week, we’ve lost two of these characters: Leslie Nielsen and Ron Santo. Consider what being authentically different—and taking some bold risks—won them.

Before breaking into comic actor status, Nielsen was a serious dramatic actor. He had the look, the bearing, the hair. Remember The Poseidon Adventure? He was a workhorse actor who probably would have quietly filled small dramatic character roles until retirement.

Traipsing Disneyland with 7 and 9 year olds puts you in a whole new frame of mind (thank you Cate and Sam). Living in the moment is critical to fully enjoy the experience. But when replaying it afterwards, it hit me.

The park has all the right elements for a glorious quest.

Good battles evil. You can shoot Zurg’s robots to save the galaxy. Steer your jeep around falling rocks to reach the Holy Grail. Become a Jedi warrior to best Darth Vader. In the end, the good guy (that would be you) always prevails.

You are the hero. Indiana Jones. Buzz Lightyear. Belle. Cinderella. Pick your favorite. For the price of a hat or tiara, you can be someone else for a day. Tired of being good? Try being the bad one instead—evil stepmothers and wicked aliens can tease out the hero in others.

It’s that time of year again. One brief pause before the rush of the holiday season begins in earnest. One brief pause before you begin that search for the perfect gift(s).

In this brief respite, what if we simply decided to be grateful? To enjoy what we have, instead of lamenting over what we don’t.

It is simple. It costs nothing. It spreads like wildfire.

Try it. Maybe you offer up a smile to the waitress dealing with a rude customer—how much more enjoyable is your work? Or you make an introduction for a new graduate in your field—remember when you were just starting out? Perhaps you lend an ear to a friend who needs solace—haven’t you been in his/her shoes?