How to leave good messages

Here are some VERY simple guidelines that will make you a hero for those who listen to your messages.

First, 3 rules, then a few steps to be followed in a PRECISE ORDER.

RULES ARE COOL

Rule number ONE

Speak clearly, even slower than usual.

Rule number TWO

Speak in a language that will be understood by the person you’re calling AND the person who may take the message.

Rule number THREE

Make sure it is LESS than 30 seconds; practice in your head BEFORE calling.

SAY WHAT?

Follow exactly these steps, in this specific order:

1. WHO –  Say your FULL name

2. WHO – Say what company you’re from or on behalf of (skip if  not applicable)

3. CONTACT – Say how to contact you (e-mail, phone number, extension, etc.)

4. REPEAT – ALWAYS repeat TWICE  your contact details. Speak freakin’ slowly damn it. Repeat TWICE (See what I did there?)

5. SUBJECT – Say WHY you’re calling and/or why you need to be called back (or not)

That’s it! Follow these simple steps and you’ll be amazed that people actually call you back or follow up on your messages.

Enjoy!

Sirus
sirusdark.ca

NOTE: I could have written a ten time longer article explaining each points, but that would kill the purpose of an easy to read how-to. If you WANT more details, lemme know. I have very good reason for EACH. Trust me. :D

Keep that work environment clutterless

Ever sat at your desk and realized your work space was a mess and somewhat manages to stay that way? (can even be your computer’s desktop)

I know what it can be like: if I slack just a little, takes less than a week to cover my desk with books, documents, magazines, articles cutouts, unpaid bills, paid bills, computer parts, CDs, DVDs, business cards, ideas scribbled on papers (a lot), unfinished drawings… you get the idea.

Well, here’s nice simple trick :

Don’t try to keep it clean.

Instead, start and finish only one unfinished task, be it an e-mail, a phone call, a text, a tutorial,  something that needs to be thrown away, etc. Then, do the next one.

Keep doing this and I promise you’ll soon see again the top of your desk in no time. I usually reserve 2 hours per day (during the course of the day) to finish stuff, read chapters from books, etc. then I STOP after those 2 hours. The next day, I resume my readings, finish other tasks, continue some tutorials and so on for another 2 hours.

I know if I don’t FINISH tasks one at a time and skip just a few days, I’ll be back swimming in a mess of unfinished stuff.

SUMMARY

Sometimes I say:

“Sorry, I don’t have time for *insert_activity_here* I’ve got too many things to do.”

Indeed I have. But I have “too many things” only when I’m not doing any. And seriously, no one in the world can type two documents at once or read two books at once. So pick ONE task, FINISH it, THEN, do the next one and allocate time to do just that.

As the saying goes, practice makes perfect.!

Enjoy!

Sirus
sirusdark.ca