Clarity and how to achieve it
Hi there,
One of my last appointments before we were all told to Stay Home in Holland was with a speaking coach. I’m putting together a GRIP masterclass – a video series that will take you through the basics of my book on the art of working smart. But telling a good story on film is entirely different than giving a presentation or crafting a newsletter. So I went looking for someone who could help.
That’s just about as uncomfortable as it sounds: have a seat, tell your story to the camera, then we’ll watch it together. Excruciating, but also incredibly helpful.
The recurring theme in her feedback? Make. Things. Clear.
It’s another weird week. Besides making choices that impact our health, we’re trying to make something of our work. And now in many cases there’s the complicating factor that we can no longer meet in person.
In short, we can all use some clarity right about now. And that starts with our own communication. Three tips:
Shorter. Whatever you share or write, see if you can make it shorter. My coach told me that when speaking, I tend to want to make my point twice. Especially if I’m still searching for the gist. Her advice? Make your point. Move on.
Sharper. Nuance is great, but it can make things confusing. Want to be clear? Make a choice. I’ve heard from a lot of readers that they appreciate my tip to start with Things or Todoist when picking a to-do list app. There are hundreds of to-do apps, and sharing my preference eases the way to just jump in and get started.
Simpler. Avoid buzzwords, terminology, or complicated sentences. If you want to be clear, then make your text accessible. Say what you mean.
Whatever you propose, write, or share this week: Can it be conveyed in fewer words? Can you remove ambiguity by making choices? Could it be simpler, in terms of language or message?
Clarity. Makes things a little easier on everyone.
Good luck and hang in there this week!
Rick