5 Ways To Make Your Communication More Productive

5 Ways To Make Your Communication More Productive

5 Ways To Make Your Communication More Productive

Have you ever gotten a voicemail where you couldn’t understand the name of the person leaving the message, or the phone number was rattled off so fast you had to listen multiple times just to try to catch each number?  Or maybe it’s the drive-by at your cubicle or office with uninvited guests that ends up taking fifteen minutes out of your day.

Sometimes we inadvertently make our life a whole lot more difficult than it needs to be.  It’s time to help others help you.

If you want to make your life easier and more productive, try these communication tips:

1. Leave a message.  “Missed call” is a cryptic message.  People don’t know what you need, and now they have to spend time wondering – were you just calling to say hi?  Is there something specific you needed?  Leave a message.

2. Leave a specific voicemail.  This doesn’t mean you should leave a 3 minute voicemail.  Simply leave your name and number (slowly), why you are calling, whether it’s urgent or not, and when you’ll be available (if they even need to call you back).

3. What’s your favorite form of communication?  Do you prefer texts, emails, phone calls, or would you prefer people just stop by your office or cubicle if they need something?  It’s not rude to tell people your preference.  It’s productive and helpful.

4.  Ask if now is a good time.  Before you interrupt someone, ask if it’s a good time.  It’s polite, you’ll frustrate others less, and most importantly, you’ll train them to do the same for you. Interruptions take between 5 and 10 minutes to re-engage in the task at hand.  Do your best to minimize interruptions from and to others.

5.  Be mindful.  People communicate the way they do because they think it’s the right way to communicate.  We don’t generally intentionally frustrate others, and sometimes our approach, while not ideal, is the best way we know how.  Be mindful of others’ communication preferences and be patient.

If you want to see other tips on increasing productivity through communication, check out these previous posts on improving productivity with Drivers, Expressives, Amiables, and Analyticals.

Letting people know what you need and being specific are simply forms of assertive communication.  It lets you spend more time on the things that are important to you.

I would love to hear your suggestions.  How else can you increase productivity through effective communication?  Join us on Facebook for a discussion or leave a comment here.

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I don’t know about you, but when the weather starts warming up and flowers start blooming, I suddenly feel the urge to clean everything. Closets, junk drawers, my email inbox, that mysterious Tupperware graveyard in the kitchen…the list goes on.

But here’s the thing most people forget: The most important space to declutter isn’t your garage—it’s your mind.

Here are 5️⃣ ways to give your brain a fresh start and reclaim some peace, time, and energy. 🧠

1. Clear Digital Clutter.
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Create a mantra this week, put it on a sticky note where you will see it, and say it often. Here is mine:

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Today, I turn 5️⃣0️⃣. FIFTY! Like, half a century. I’m not sure how that happened because in my head I’m still 29 (but with better boundaries and worse joints).

As I cross this milestone with a few more laugh lines, a couple of scars, and a stronger appreciation for stretchy pants, here are a few things I’ve learned:

🏃‍♀️ Chase joy like it’s your job.

Life is loud and hectic, and it will gladly eat up every minute if you let it. Make time for things that make you laugh and bring you joy. Those are the moments that matter.

✨ Prioritize your people.

Your job is important, but it’s not your identity. The people you love are the greatest predictor of your happiness, health, and even how long you stick around. Nurture those relationships like your life depends on it—because it kinda does.

💪 Get uncomfortable.

Comfort zones feel safe but they are cozy little traps. Stay there too long and you start to shrink instead of grow. Try stuff that scares you a little. Be bad at something new. Say yes before you feel ready. Awkward is the price of admission for awesome.

🧠 Your body is not a rental.

It’s the only one you get. After a tumor, back surgery, and a triple fusion neck surgery in the not too distant future, I’ve learned the hard way: do not take your health for granted. Move and be active while you can.

🔌 Don’t waste your energy sweating the small stuff.

Because the big stuff will hit the fan—and that’s when you’ll need your mental and emotional strength. The rest will work itself out (or at least give you a funny story to tell later).

Thanks for being in my life. I appreciate you.

Here’s to another 50 years of grit, grace, and mildly inappropriate humor. 🎉
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2 Comments

  1. I try to be mindful of interrupting staff, but have always allowed an “open door” policy when they interrupt me, and sometimes that does hamper communication. I had never considered incorporating #4 into my communication style, but I will now. Thank you.

    • Hi Patrina,

      Thanks for the comment! I think it’s the difference between an open door and a “cracked” door, as one of my clients taught me. There’s a difference between being available literally any time, and people knowing that they they are able to schedule a time to chat with you when needed and that your’re “available”. Thanks!

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