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10 words, which give self-doubt
This month I received 972 e-mails - about the same as in the past. That's not counting the hundreds of emails that Gmeyl dumps into separate folders - replies to my messages, update social networks and advertising junk
. I mastered the art of navigation in the mail, using the «J» key and «K», but there is one thing that I have succeeded even more - I have learned to recognize the lack of confidence
. In most cases, someone is trying to tell me about your product or calling a journalist with a request to comment on the issue related to my professional field - marketing. Sometimes there are "cold calls" from people I do not know, and I just need a few minutes to understand - it is a call or a professional specialist, my room was just in the base, which is given to employees
.
Often they report that "in general" something doing. Sometimes someone talks about the business idea, which "is expected", shoot. There are also quite timid calls and letters that make me doubt whether the other person understands a little bit is what we talk about.
How do I define it? There are words with which you can easily understand how a person confident in their competence and quality of the goods, which he wants to sell you. If they are present, in a letter to me is a clear signal that something is wrong. Once the sender is not even sure of his product or idea, I'm certainly not worth spending time on it.
1. I can
Do not rush to tell people that "can" do something. No one is asking you to make sure that there is peace in the world, and specific questions about feasible things better than "I can do X" answer, but "do X". When you promise that "will be able" to finish a report to the deadline, it sounds as if you are trying to convince himself of this - and therefore doubt in your skills, do not know how to dispose of time or you have better things to do
. 2. Hardly
The word, which should be avoided for sure in business correspondence. Anyone who says that "is unlikely to do something" or "unlikely to come to the meeting" is an instant dislike. Accept the offer or refuse, explaining the reason for - and will look more advantageous in comparison with the "polite" mumbled that only increases the uncertainty
. 3. In general / usual
This way the recipient becomes obvious that you have on hand is insufficient facts or consoled you resort to self-deception. When you write that accounting "as a whole" did not approve your expense report or that the head of "usually" late for work, it says that you exaggerate or understate the truth.
4. I suspect
If you're not an investigator from the prosecutor's office, stop anything "suspicious". Do not hide behind the fog of words, talk straight. A reliable source said that investors are willing to leave the project? Do you have concrete facts that justify your fresh new marketing plan? So tell me.
5. Unable
I bet that Mark Zuckerberg has never used the word "impossible" in the mail. After such an answer instantly recipient ceases to believe in you. Instead, let us know why it would be difficult to fulfill, or simply refuse to comply with the proposed scheme. But do not waste people's time, telling about something that "can not be».
6. I am concerned
We are all somewhat concerned. Reporting your concerns in an email, you force the recipient to doubt your competence. Do not reveal their emotions - just paint over a potential problem and suggest solutions
. 7. I doubt
The story of the doubt lead to even more doubts. Better to simply ask a question to clarify that you do not understand, or present their arguments against. When you write that "doubt", it seems that you are either not sufficiently versed in the subject, or you is not very interesting.
8. It should be
We all need something. The habit of using that word makes you finding fault in the eyes of colleagues in the letters. "It is necessary" for you to come to work early, "need" you to finish the report. What for? Avoid the word and just say, "Please, come back tomorrow for an hour before, so that together we watched a report to a meeting with a client»
. 9. It is difficult / hard
I sent a letter, having used it in the word "difficulty" or "trouble"? It means that you are a loser, at a loss. This is not the tone with which to start a business proposal or request for fundraising - nobody wants to communicate with those who crashes
. 10. Probably
Few of us are professionally engaged in predictions of the future. In using the word "likely", you give the impression of someone who hardly versed in the subject, and does not have the necessary facts to assert something. "Probably," you are not too sure of themselves and their business.
Author: John Brandon
. I mastered the art of navigation in the mail, using the «J» key and «K», but there is one thing that I have succeeded even more - I have learned to recognize the lack of confidence
. In most cases, someone is trying to tell me about your product or calling a journalist with a request to comment on the issue related to my professional field - marketing. Sometimes there are "cold calls" from people I do not know, and I just need a few minutes to understand - it is a call or a professional specialist, my room was just in the base, which is given to employees
.
Often they report that "in general" something doing. Sometimes someone talks about the business idea, which "is expected", shoot. There are also quite timid calls and letters that make me doubt whether the other person understands a little bit is what we talk about.
How do I define it? There are words with which you can easily understand how a person confident in their competence and quality of the goods, which he wants to sell you. If they are present, in a letter to me is a clear signal that something is wrong. Once the sender is not even sure of his product or idea, I'm certainly not worth spending time on it.
1. I can
Do not rush to tell people that "can" do something. No one is asking you to make sure that there is peace in the world, and specific questions about feasible things better than "I can do X" answer, but "do X". When you promise that "will be able" to finish a report to the deadline, it sounds as if you are trying to convince himself of this - and therefore doubt in your skills, do not know how to dispose of time or you have better things to do
. 2. Hardly
The word, which should be avoided for sure in business correspondence. Anyone who says that "is unlikely to do something" or "unlikely to come to the meeting" is an instant dislike. Accept the offer or refuse, explaining the reason for - and will look more advantageous in comparison with the "polite" mumbled that only increases the uncertainty
. 3. In general / usual
This way the recipient becomes obvious that you have on hand is insufficient facts or consoled you resort to self-deception. When you write that accounting "as a whole" did not approve your expense report or that the head of "usually" late for work, it says that you exaggerate or understate the truth.
4. I suspect
If you're not an investigator from the prosecutor's office, stop anything "suspicious". Do not hide behind the fog of words, talk straight. A reliable source said that investors are willing to leave the project? Do you have concrete facts that justify your fresh new marketing plan? So tell me.
5. Unable
I bet that Mark Zuckerberg has never used the word "impossible" in the mail. After such an answer instantly recipient ceases to believe in you. Instead, let us know why it would be difficult to fulfill, or simply refuse to comply with the proposed scheme. But do not waste people's time, telling about something that "can not be».
6. I am concerned
We are all somewhat concerned. Reporting your concerns in an email, you force the recipient to doubt your competence. Do not reveal their emotions - just paint over a potential problem and suggest solutions
. 7. I doubt
The story of the doubt lead to even more doubts. Better to simply ask a question to clarify that you do not understand, or present their arguments against. When you write that "doubt", it seems that you are either not sufficiently versed in the subject, or you is not very interesting.
8. It should be
We all need something. The habit of using that word makes you finding fault in the eyes of colleagues in the letters. "It is necessary" for you to come to work early, "need" you to finish the report. What for? Avoid the word and just say, "Please, come back tomorrow for an hour before, so that together we watched a report to a meeting with a client»
. 9. It is difficult / hard
I sent a letter, having used it in the word "difficulty" or "trouble"? It means that you are a loser, at a loss. This is not the tone with which to start a business proposal or request for fundraising - nobody wants to communicate with those who crashes
. 10. Probably
Few of us are professionally engaged in predictions of the future. In using the word "likely", you give the impression of someone who hardly versed in the subject, and does not have the necessary facts to assert something. "Probably," you are not too sure of themselves and their business.
Author: John Brandon