Do You Speak With Laser-Like Precision?

Are you someone who can seemingly talk forever and take the round about way of getting to the point?

Or, perhaps you have the opposite challenge…

Do you struggle on saying much of anything at all leaving others to wonder what you're really thinking and feeling?

Either way if you can't communicate with laser-like focus you are sabotaging your own success. You see, I can talk (and talk and talk and talk and talk… you get the pictureJ). Yet as more time goes by I realize that while this can be a benefit sometimes, more often than not it is a liability. Every time I find myself over-explaining I hear the voice of a career counselor (and now friend) I once had told me point blank "You're one of those damn expressives and it drives me nuts!" Meaning that I tend to think out loud and talk a great deal including every bloody detail imaginable to express myself. Now, there's nothing wrong with talking or chit-chatting of course. This doesn't mean you can't ever relax and talk at length with someone. But, when it comes to business and the business of creating what you want in your life, clarity and brevity are your friends.

You see when you can't succinctly sum up what you want to say you find yourself:

Jumbled up in your thoughts and unclear.
Including everything but the kitchen sink in your communications.
Backing yourself into a corner by over-explaining.
Wallowing in a story rather than getting to the meat of the matter.

What happens is you feel a lot less confident and comfortable in your own skin than you could be. What also happens is that other people who might be able to support or connect with you can't do so because you've made it too difficult or confusing for them to do so!

If you don't think that speaking powerfully with an economy of words is important, consider the fact that this skill is critical every time you need to:

Set or enforce boundaries.
Create or execute a professional relationship (clients, co-workers, bosses, employers, employees, etc.).
Ask for what you really want or need.
Present yourself to someone else (interviews, presentations, business meetings, networking, etc.).

I don't know about you, but that is pretty darn often and some pretty important scenarios, don't you think?

Here's my coach's request to you. For the next 30 days become more aware of your language. Whenever you are speaking, ask yourself:

Is my language clear and concise?
Am I being direct (or beating around the bush)?
Do I employ an economy of words or am I bordering on babbling?
Am I over-explaining or apologizing for myself?

Now, do this without judgment…the point of this exercise isn't to beat yourself up but simply to start noticing. Believe me I have (and sometimes still do) rattle on far too much for my own benefit. Yet ever since I adopted the mantra that "I am a person who speaks with an economy of words that carry great power" my clarity, confidence, and results have blossomed.

Do you need help getting clear on that next step in your career, business, or life direction? Does your language match the confusion you experience in your mind around what to do next? Are you afraid to ask for what you really want – more money, that next sale, a new job or business opportunity – because you don't know what to say, how to say it, or feel like "who am I to ask for this"? If so, I can help – contact me today for a complimentary get acquainted call that will powerfully help you take that all important next step toward what you most desire.