Did you hear about this old boy who was the greatest salesman in the world? He was able to convince his wife that she was too fat for a mink coat. Just wanted to share this with you to make a point. To maintain a great perspective in our life, we should always have time for a little humor.

In our column today we will talk about the value and importance of developing a great vocabulary, because our knowledge of words is the way we communicate. First, we should always take time to learn the educational level of our audience, whether it be one person or a thousand.

Many years ago, I was the chairman of the speaker’s bureau for the Pulaski County United Way. My job was to secure speakers to talk with employee groups about the importance and value of giving to the United Way. Of course, I also had to do this myself. I remember one day I spoke to a group of employees for a trucking company. They were assembled in the back of an 18-wheeler, and I knew the educational level would not be very high, so I spoke to them in their own language. That same day I also spoke to top executives of the Baptist Hospital in Little Rock in their board room. Then I went on to the Arkansas Highway Department, where I had more than 200 employees in my audience, assembled in a large meeting room. Obviously, the words and the language for the latter two groups were different than the first.

Here is another example that really makes a point. Several years ago, Princeton University conducted a study and gave the members of their graduating class an English vocabulary test to learn their vocabulary level. Then they tracked the class members for the next 20 years and determined their salary level, position in their company, and executive responsibility. Here is what they found. Those in the highest group in terms of vocabulary and knowledge of words and what they meant were in the highest income group, and those in the lowest level were in the lowest income group. And here is the proof, as to the value of vocabulary, there was not one single exception.

In my book “How to Plan Your Life,” I give 60 words and phrases and what they mean. I want to give them to you alphabetically, and this will take some time. Now, here is the great thing about clipping these words out and placing them in a file folder. You have a whole week to read them again, think about them and their meaning, and begin to use them in your conversations with other people. When you consider this over the long haul, this is one of the best investments of your time that you can have.

Accomplishment – The result of a goal, plan or objective. “Her accomplishment was the fruit of careful planning and hard work.” Assessment – A method devised to evaluate a person’s progress; like a test, can also be applied to places and events. “Taking time now to do an assessment could save you time and money later.”

Next week we will pick up with the word “accountability.” In life, our thinking time is also very valuable. Have a great week.

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(Jim Davidson is an author, syndicated columnist, and Founder of the Bookcase for Every Child project. For a personalized copy of Jim’s latest book, “Keep Your Fork” send $25, which includes postage and handling and tax, to Jim Davidson, 2 Bentley Drive, Conway, AR 72034. It is also available on Amazon.)