Remember the days in high school when essays had minimum word or minimum page requirements, as if to say that longer essays would be "better"? For many of us, that instinct seems to linger in our professional lives, and we need to stop it.
So many people have been taught that more words, more pages, or more slides somehow makes your content more impactful. In some cases this may be true, but more often than not, more words are actually just creating more work for your reader, not more value. We live in an attention economy, and the more quickly and clearly you can get your points across, the better off you'll be.
Phew... that was a lot of "more" for an email about saying less 😅
Have you ever gotten stuck thinking "how should I say X, Y or Z?" If so, simply look to the question you're asking as inspiration for your answer. More often than not, you've already figured out how to say what you need to say! Here's what that might sound like:
"How should I tell them I'm not feeling very social tonight and I don't want to go out to dinner?" Simply say: "I'm not feeling very social tonight and am going to politely decline tonight. Maybe another time!"
"How should I say that I'm looking for more challenge at work?" This one's easy! Say: "I'm looking for more challenge at work."
"I have no idea what they're talking about. How do I tell them they're not making any sense?" Try: "I think I might be missing something because I'm not sure what we're talking about. Can we start from the beginning?"
Clear, kind and respectful language is the easiest way to prevent overcomplication in your conversations.
Are you a chronic overcomplicator? Career Sandwich has tons of scripts you can use 24/7 to keep things simple.
Lets discuss where you’re at, what challenges you’re facing at the moment, and if Career Sandwich is right for you.
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Career Sandwich is a complete software and services platform built to help you navigate changes in your career.
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