Writing
Be Concise!
11
C
the same people who spend a lot of time in meetings. Some who may have little to say use
I do not suggest that all of our communications ought to be
Want to be more concise in your communications and save time? Here are two suggestions.
Practice. When you write an email to someone, look it over before you send it. See if you can say what you need to say in fewer words. I use this technique in a communications class I teach for MBA students. I ask them to write a five-page paper. They submit it, I return it, and ask they re-write the paper in four pages, but cover all the essential points from the five page paper. They later re-write the same paper as a three, two, and one page paper. Each must contain all that was covered in the original five-page work. It's a tough assignment but with practice, they get better at saying more with fewer words. You can too. If you write something, re-write it several times, each time making it shorter than the previous attempt. The more you practice, the better you'll get.
Dr. Donald E. Wetmore - Professional Speaker - Productivity Institute - Time Management Seminars - 60 Huntington St., P.O. Box 2126 - Shelton, CT 06484 - (800) 969-3773 (203) 929-9902 Fax: (203) 929-8151 - Email: ctsem@msn.com. Visit Our Time Management Supersite: http://www.balancetime.com - Professional Member-National Speakers Association
