Ever notice how some things can be weirdly specific?
Like this collection box I saw at a gas station the other day.
It made sense to me to call out clothing and shoes.
But purses?
I had to pause a minute.
Guess that means that people have an awful lot of purses to donate in this area.
Or this company was getting lots of questions from people as to where they could drop off their purses?
Struck me as funny.
But come to think of it - I probably have a few extra purses at home I could get rid of too...
And at least now I know where I can take them!
There are times in life though when we aren't specific enough.
Awhile back I blogged about turn signals and people's lack of using them.
People in general aren't always strong in communicating what they need from others. Or when they are going to make a turn!
At the end of the day, we aren't mind readers. Clarity in communication is really important and a skill that is sorely missing these days in my opinion.
We forget to stop and think about the people we're communicating with. And what lens they might be looking through or filtering our message through.
For example:
When I tell my boys that I want them to take out the garbage, I have to specify when.
If I don't, they assume they can do it whenever they get around to it. Which is most likely going to be after garbage day.
If I ask someone at work to complete a task, I have to specify what, when and why they need to do it.
If I don't, they assume they can get to it after their other priorities. Which might not meet our client's timeline.
Or if I'm talking to Jacob's doctor, I have to be clear in my questions so they understand how to answer me in a way that makes me feel better about his treatment and care.
If I don't, she'll tell me the answers, but it might be in a way she understands and not how I need to hear them.
All too often, we get caught up in just getting our words out and we don't think about what we're actually communicating.
Or how the message will resonate with other people.
We aren't specific enough.
Next time...try pausing before you speak. Really think about the words you are choosing to use.
And ask yourself these questions:
Are the words that I’m planning to use communicating EXACTLY what I want to say?
How will my audience respond? Could any of the words I'm going to use trigger an emotional response that could impact my communication?
Have I given a specific WHEN so there is no confusion?
Am I clearly explaining WHY this is important? When people understand why they are much more likely to take ownership and engage.
The more specific we can be the better.
Especially when it comes to things that require an action from someone else.
We live in a world where we are inundated with communication, in all sorts of forms. It can be overwhelming.
Specificity is critical.
In all areas of life.
Remember that next time you are asking for something you need.
And if you have an overflow of purses to donate, I know the perfect place to take them!
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