Stillness in a Hectic Life

OMMMMM . . . OMMMMM . . . (No, don’t fall asleep! I’m trying to set a mood here.) Okaaaaaay. Now that we’re all calm and centered, let’s talk for a moment about how to improve your chances that your messages will be heard by the people you want to influence. And, like all things really deep and meaningful, this particular key is really simple:

If you don’t absolutely need it, throw it out.

“What?!” (I hear you exclaim)(breaking this nice, calm mood) “That’s the secret to being heard?” Ah, yes it is. Here are some examples:

· If you can say something in six words instead of 12, that makes it easier to hear — and remember — your idea.

· If you can say something in three paragraphs instead of two pages, that makes it easier to grasp your message.

· If you can say something in three pages instead of 40, that ensures your pitch will get read. (Don’t believe me? Read Seth Godin's post on “The realistic entrepreneur’s guide to venture capital" - item #14 “...no one is going to read more than three pages of what you write before they make a decision.”]

· If you can express your case in eight slides instead of 30, that really ensures your audience will stay tuned in. If you only have eight slides, not only is your presentation likely to be shorter, but it will almost certainly be more interactive, which is a HUGE benefit for both you and your audience.

I could go on and on, but then I wouldn’t be heeding my own advice. You’ll find that trimming things down to the absolute essentials works whether you’re selling products, services, or even just ideas. It works for prospects, customers and clients, your boss, your colleagues, your spouse or partner or friends — it even works on your dog (my dog, however, is another story . . .)

So take a deeeeeeep breath, exhale slowly, and see just how concise you can make things. It will make your ideas that much sharper and easier to grasp.