Have a Merry Christmas and a Sunny Day!
Sincerely,
Clarity
P.S. Even when it's cloudy, the sun is always shining above the clouds...
Friday, December 25, 2009
Friday, December 18, 2009
Use More Words
Good morning,
I hope you had a great week. This morning’s success tip might seem counter cultural in today’s world of instant messages and email on the fly, but that’s why it’s even important than ever: use more words.
We live in a fast paced world that values brevity, as do I (get to the point, please!). But getting to the point is pointless, unless it’s clear. My point is - clear communication saves money and saves relationships.
1) Saves Money – Imagine the enormous number of salary hours spent by employees trying to decipher or follow unclear communications. Yes - we all want the job done fast, but if you want it done fast and right, don’t skimp on the instructions.
2) Saves Relationships – “I thought you arranged tonight’s babysitter! When you said, ‘we’re going need a babysitter this weekend,’ I didn’t know that meant you wanted ME to call her. Now what do we do?”
At work and at home, using just a few more words can make a big difference. I’m not advocating for long rambling meetings (too many words!). Rather, I’m reminding us that a clearly written communication can help keep a meeting brief or even eliminate the need for a meeting at all, while a badly written communication can lead to multiple meetings and hours of lost productivity caused by wasted time deciphering unclear instructions.
In conclusion, there’s a big difference between being brief and being concise – which involves getting to the point quickly but also clearly. While brevity may be the soul of wit, making the audience LOL, brevity can be the death of communication, leaving people wondering WTF. (Oh yeah, and watch out for acronyms…)
Have a Sunny Day!
Clarity
Clarity Patton Newhouse
Metropolitan Lincoln Mercury
32000 Ford Road
Garden City, MI 48135
www.MetroMichigan.com
313-670-7505
P.S. One of the important pieces of information often left out of instructions is “why.” Telling someone “why” something needs to be done enables them to engage their own reasoning to fill in gaps in the instructions and/or help improve the results.
By the way, if you’re interested in more - or clearer - instructions on how to communicate effectively, I suggest checking out the “Top Ten Clear Writing Tips” contained in The Clarity Kit (I had nothing to do with it!), which is available online at http://www.nald.ca/library/learning/clarity/2/2.pdf.
Also, the book “The One Minute Manager” by Kenneth H. Blanchard contains good ideas for concise verbal communications.
I hope you had a great week. This morning’s success tip might seem counter cultural in today’s world of instant messages and email on the fly, but that’s why it’s even important than ever: use more words.
We live in a fast paced world that values brevity, as do I (get to the point, please!). But getting to the point is pointless, unless it’s clear. My point is - clear communication saves money and saves relationships.
1) Saves Money – Imagine the enormous number of salary hours spent by employees trying to decipher or follow unclear communications. Yes - we all want the job done fast, but if you want it done fast and right, don’t skimp on the instructions.
2) Saves Relationships – “I thought you arranged tonight’s babysitter! When you said, ‘we’re going need a babysitter this weekend,’ I didn’t know that meant you wanted ME to call her. Now what do we do?”
At work and at home, using just a few more words can make a big difference. I’m not advocating for long rambling meetings (too many words!). Rather, I’m reminding us that a clearly written communication can help keep a meeting brief or even eliminate the need for a meeting at all, while a badly written communication can lead to multiple meetings and hours of lost productivity caused by wasted time deciphering unclear instructions.
In conclusion, there’s a big difference between being brief and being concise – which involves getting to the point quickly but also clearly. While brevity may be the soul of wit, making the audience LOL, brevity can be the death of communication, leaving people wondering WTF. (Oh yeah, and watch out for acronyms…)
Have a Sunny Day!
Clarity
Clarity Patton Newhouse
Metropolitan Lincoln Mercury
32000 Ford Road
Garden City, MI 48135
www.MetroMichigan.com
313-670-7505
P.S. One of the important pieces of information often left out of instructions is “why.” Telling someone “why” something needs to be done enables them to engage their own reasoning to fill in gaps in the instructions and/or help improve the results.
By the way, if you’re interested in more - or clearer - instructions on how to communicate effectively, I suggest checking out the “Top Ten Clear Writing Tips” contained in The Clarity Kit (I had nothing to do with it!), which is available online at http://www.nald.ca/library/learning/clarity/2/2.pdf.
Also, the book “The One Minute Manager” by Kenneth H. Blanchard contains good ideas for concise verbal communications.
Friday, December 11, 2009
Just Say No
Good Morning,
After last week’s topic, you might find this advice rather surprising - but it actually makes sense and it’s an important key to success.
Just say “no.”
And I’m not referring to illegal drugs, although it’s good advice there, too.
Many of us have the instinct to say “yes” every time someone asks for help. Indeed the world needs a lot of help and there’s a lot of “asking” going on (which I still encourage you to do!). But we have to prioritize the things on which we spend our most precious resource, time. Be careful about when to say “yes” and when to say “no.” By saying “no” to things that pull us away from our priorities, we are better able to accomplish our goals and keep our promises.
We’ve all heard the saying, “The cobbler’s children go shoeless.” It’s often said in jest, but it actually describes a serious problem. It basically means the cobbler is too busy attending to the demands of other people to take care of his or her own children.
Okay - most of us aren’t cobblers, but many of us have experienced scenarios like the following. We’re in the middle of an important project and somebody calls or walks in and says urgently, “Can you help me with XYZ?” Being helpful by nature, we stop what we’re doing to lend a hand. What happens to the important project we were working on? Too often, important priorities lose out to urgent tasks.
The bottom line is, be wary of letting “urgent” trump “important” and assuming that “yes” is always the best answer. Instead of automatically saying “yes” and potentially short-changing yourself or others, take a moment to determine if the more productive answer is actually “no.”
Have a Sunny Day!
Clarity
P.S. It’s certainly true that saying “no” can be difficult. If you’re interested in some helpful tips and strategies, I suggest looking up communication expert Pamela Jett at www.jettct.com, who I’ve enjoyed hearing speak at The Yes Network. Pamela has a specific methodology for how to say “no” while building rapport in the process.
Clarity Patton Newhouse
Metropolitan Lincoln Mercury
32000 Ford Road
Garden City, MI 48135
313-670-7505
www.MetroMichigan.com
After last week’s topic, you might find this advice rather surprising - but it actually makes sense and it’s an important key to success.
Just say “no.”
And I’m not referring to illegal drugs, although it’s good advice there, too.
Many of us have the instinct to say “yes” every time someone asks for help. Indeed the world needs a lot of help and there’s a lot of “asking” going on (which I still encourage you to do!). But we have to prioritize the things on which we spend our most precious resource, time. Be careful about when to say “yes” and when to say “no.” By saying “no” to things that pull us away from our priorities, we are better able to accomplish our goals and keep our promises.
We’ve all heard the saying, “The cobbler’s children go shoeless.” It’s often said in jest, but it actually describes a serious problem. It basically means the cobbler is too busy attending to the demands of other people to take care of his or her own children.
Okay - most of us aren’t cobblers, but many of us have experienced scenarios like the following. We’re in the middle of an important project and somebody calls or walks in and says urgently, “Can you help me with XYZ?” Being helpful by nature, we stop what we’re doing to lend a hand. What happens to the important project we were working on? Too often, important priorities lose out to urgent tasks.
The bottom line is, be wary of letting “urgent” trump “important” and assuming that “yes” is always the best answer. Instead of automatically saying “yes” and potentially short-changing yourself or others, take a moment to determine if the more productive answer is actually “no.”
Have a Sunny Day!
Clarity
P.S. It’s certainly true that saying “no” can be difficult. If you’re interested in some helpful tips and strategies, I suggest looking up communication expert Pamela Jett at www.jettct.com, who I’ve enjoyed hearing speak at The Yes Network. Pamela has a specific methodology for how to say “no” while building rapport in the process.
Clarity Patton Newhouse
Metropolitan Lincoln Mercury
32000 Ford Road
Garden City, MI 48135
313-670-7505
www.MetroMichigan.com
Friday, December 4, 2009
Just Ask
Good Morning,
Happy Friday! I hope you had a nice week. My goal is to be helpful, so I’m excited to share today’s concept. When implemented, it can absolutely change a person’s life - work life or home life.
It’s so simple and yet it’s ignored at an astonishingly high rate.
Ask for what you want. Just ask!
Okay, I’m sure you already know how powerful this is. But it’s worth mentioning because sometimes we forget; often salespeople become unpaid consultants just by forgetting to ask for the sale.
But this advice applies to more than just sales. It can save you money, get you a job or rekindle a relationship. I’m living proof and I’ll give you some little examples in one of my favorite areas – saving money.
Here are three easy money-saving “asks” I’ve used just within the last week or so. You can do these types of things too, if you’re not already way ahead of me on this. And if saving money isn’t your main objective, then think of it as good practice for requesting the big things you want – the things that can change your life if you ask. Sure, getting a deal doesn’t always make or break my pocketbook, but it always makes me smile. Examples:
Drugstores - Don’t have the loyalty card? (I hate signing up for those!) Don’t get ripped off, get the sale price anyway – just ask if they have a store card they can swipe for you. (By the way, you can get lots of deals at all kinds of stores just by asking.)
Airlines - This week I booked a morning flight with Delta; then it turned out I needed an evening flight instead. I called the airline the next day and explained this to the agent who said, “Certainly, and there’s a $150 change fee.” I said, “Is there any way I can change this ticket without paying the fee?” She said “No.” I said, “That’s really disappointing. Is there any OTHER way I can avoid the fee.” She said, “You can cancel the ticket and rebook it instead of changing it.” I said, “Great! Let’s do that.” (I’ll refrain from commenting here about how ridiculous this change vs. cancellation rule is and how they were going to have me do this the expensive way until I asked twice.) The point is that they’re not going to offer – you have to ask.
Credit Cards - If they raise your rate or charge a fee or do something else you don’t like, call them and ask for what you want. Or if you just feel the itch for a lower rate, call and ask. One of my credit cards recently screwed up an online transaction and it appeared to be a big mess, but following the principal of “just ask,” I called the credit card company and even I was amazed when they straightened it out in my favor.
By the way, with stores you only have to ask once, with the airlines it’s usually twice and with the credit card companies you can count on having to ask at least three times with three different people, but the savings can be worth the phone call.
In business or in our personal lives, what keeps us from asking? Perhaps we forget, or perhaps it’s fear. Whatever stops us, we need to get over it if we want to get ahead. Should we be strategic about how we ask? Of course – think strategically and then ask. Sometimes the results come so easy it’s funny. We all know the downside of asking, the terrifying “no.” But if we’re afraid of that little two-letter word, then the jokes on us.
So ask for what you want. If you don’t, it’s like holding a lottery ticket without checking to see if it’s a winner. Try it. You’ll be amazed at what can happen if you just ask.
Have a Sunny Day!
Clarity
P.S. Here's another tip - whenever possible, book directly with an airline or your travel agent. They are your friends. Third-party websites are not. Sure – find the deal on the travel website, but then book with the airline directly so you’re better protected if anything goes wrong with your trip, such as missed layovers.
Clarity Patton Newhouse
Metropolitan Lincoln Mercury
32000 Ford Road
Garden City, MI 48135
313-670-7505
www.MetroMichigan.com
Happy Friday! I hope you had a nice week. My goal is to be helpful, so I’m excited to share today’s concept. When implemented, it can absolutely change a person’s life - work life or home life.
It’s so simple and yet it’s ignored at an astonishingly high rate.
Ask for what you want. Just ask!
Okay, I’m sure you already know how powerful this is. But it’s worth mentioning because sometimes we forget; often salespeople become unpaid consultants just by forgetting to ask for the sale.
But this advice applies to more than just sales. It can save you money, get you a job or rekindle a relationship. I’m living proof and I’ll give you some little examples in one of my favorite areas – saving money.
Here are three easy money-saving “asks” I’ve used just within the last week or so. You can do these types of things too, if you’re not already way ahead of me on this. And if saving money isn’t your main objective, then think of it as good practice for requesting the big things you want – the things that can change your life if you ask. Sure, getting a deal doesn’t always make or break my pocketbook, but it always makes me smile. Examples:
Drugstores - Don’t have the loyalty card? (I hate signing up for those!) Don’t get ripped off, get the sale price anyway – just ask if they have a store card they can swipe for you. (By the way, you can get lots of deals at all kinds of stores just by asking.)
Airlines - This week I booked a morning flight with Delta; then it turned out I needed an evening flight instead. I called the airline the next day and explained this to the agent who said, “Certainly, and there’s a $150 change fee.” I said, “Is there any way I can change this ticket without paying the fee?” She said “No.” I said, “That’s really disappointing. Is there any OTHER way I can avoid the fee.” She said, “You can cancel the ticket and rebook it instead of changing it.” I said, “Great! Let’s do that.” (I’ll refrain from commenting here about how ridiculous this change vs. cancellation rule is and how they were going to have me do this the expensive way until I asked twice.) The point is that they’re not going to offer – you have to ask.
Credit Cards - If they raise your rate or charge a fee or do something else you don’t like, call them and ask for what you want. Or if you just feel the itch for a lower rate, call and ask. One of my credit cards recently screwed up an online transaction and it appeared to be a big mess, but following the principal of “just ask,” I called the credit card company and even I was amazed when they straightened it out in my favor.
By the way, with stores you only have to ask once, with the airlines it’s usually twice and with the credit card companies you can count on having to ask at least three times with three different people, but the savings can be worth the phone call.
In business or in our personal lives, what keeps us from asking? Perhaps we forget, or perhaps it’s fear. Whatever stops us, we need to get over it if we want to get ahead. Should we be strategic about how we ask? Of course – think strategically and then ask. Sometimes the results come so easy it’s funny. We all know the downside of asking, the terrifying “no.” But if we’re afraid of that little two-letter word, then the jokes on us.
So ask for what you want. If you don’t, it’s like holding a lottery ticket without checking to see if it’s a winner. Try it. You’ll be amazed at what can happen if you just ask.
Have a Sunny Day!
Clarity
P.S. Here's another tip - whenever possible, book directly with an airline or your travel agent. They are your friends. Third-party websites are not. Sure – find the deal on the travel website, but then book with the airline directly so you’re better protected if anything goes wrong with your trip, such as missed layovers.
Clarity Patton Newhouse
Metropolitan Lincoln Mercury
32000 Ford Road
Garden City, MI 48135
313-670-7505
www.MetroMichigan.com
Friday, November 27, 2009
Returning Thanks
Good Morning,
I hope you enjoyed a happy Thanksgiving. In the spirit of the season, I’m feeling very grateful this morning for you and everyone in my life, and I’ve been chewing on this food for thought: often the people who are closest to us, the ones we depend upon most, are the people we forget to thank.
When a stranger holds the door for us as we enter a building, we automatically say “thank you,” but when a loved one does something we’ve come to rely upon every day, how easy it is to take his or her efforts for granted.
More than 1,500 years ago, St. Ambrose said, “No duty is more urgent than that of returning thanks.” And more recently, Mother Teresa pointed out that “There is more hunger for love and appreciation in this world than for bread.”
I once dated a guy who got annoyed with me for saying “thanks for calling.” He said I shouldn’t thank him for something he’s going to do everyday anyway. But I disagree - because I don’t think I can say “thank you” enough, especially for the things that family members, friends and coworkers do everyday - anyway.
No success is ever achieved without the help of others. So whether I’ve said it too often, or not often enough, thank you. And have a sunny day!
Clarity
P.S. “At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us,” Albert Schweitzer.
Clarity Patton Newhouse
Metropolitan Lincoln Mercury
32000 Ford Road
Garden City, MI 48135
www.MetroMichigan.com
313-670-7505
I hope you enjoyed a happy Thanksgiving. In the spirit of the season, I’m feeling very grateful this morning for you and everyone in my life, and I’ve been chewing on this food for thought: often the people who are closest to us, the ones we depend upon most, are the people we forget to thank.
When a stranger holds the door for us as we enter a building, we automatically say “thank you,” but when a loved one does something we’ve come to rely upon every day, how easy it is to take his or her efforts for granted.
More than 1,500 years ago, St. Ambrose said, “No duty is more urgent than that of returning thanks.” And more recently, Mother Teresa pointed out that “There is more hunger for love and appreciation in this world than for bread.”
I once dated a guy who got annoyed with me for saying “thanks for calling.” He said I shouldn’t thank him for something he’s going to do everyday anyway. But I disagree - because I don’t think I can say “thank you” enough, especially for the things that family members, friends and coworkers do everyday - anyway.
No success is ever achieved without the help of others. So whether I’ve said it too often, or not often enough, thank you. And have a sunny day!
Clarity
P.S. “At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us,” Albert Schweitzer.
Clarity Patton Newhouse
Metropolitan Lincoln Mercury
32000 Ford Road
Garden City, MI 48135
www.MetroMichigan.com
313-670-7505
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Success Equation
Good morning,
I promised to stay in touch and this morning I’m thinking about something that’s worth sharing with you – food for thought on a Friday. If it encourages you or just brightens your day, then I’m glad.
It’s a simple equation: “Success = Preparation + Opportunity.” I don’t know who said it first, but it’s powerful and true.
In my own life I’ve been often lucky – in the right place at the right time. But encountering opportunity doesn’t equal success unless we’re prepared to act. Perhaps it’s as simple as having an elevator pitch ready in case we encounter a potential investor, or keeping a passport current incase an opportunity involves travel.
I was recently reminded of Arnold Palmer, after an amazing golf shot, being congratulated by a fan about how lucky the shot was, to which Palmer responded, “It's a funny thing, the more I practice the luckier I get.” I love that quote because it underscores the importance of preparation and good old fashioned hard work in achieving success, or being “lucky.”
So this morning I’m reflecting on this question, if success occurs when preparation meets opportunity, what is one thing we can do TODAY to help prepare for the opportunities we desire to meet?
Have a Sunny Day!
Clarity
Clarity Patton Newhouse
Metropolitan Lincoln Mercury
32000 Ford Road
Garden City, MI 48135
www.MetroMichigan.com
313-670-7505
P.S. Now is usually the hardest and best time to act, because you never know what tomorrow will bring or when opportunity will knock…
I promised to stay in touch and this morning I’m thinking about something that’s worth sharing with you – food for thought on a Friday. If it encourages you or just brightens your day, then I’m glad.
It’s a simple equation: “Success = Preparation + Opportunity.” I don’t know who said it first, but it’s powerful and true.
In my own life I’ve been often lucky – in the right place at the right time. But encountering opportunity doesn’t equal success unless we’re prepared to act. Perhaps it’s as simple as having an elevator pitch ready in case we encounter a potential investor, or keeping a passport current incase an opportunity involves travel.
I was recently reminded of Arnold Palmer, after an amazing golf shot, being congratulated by a fan about how lucky the shot was, to which Palmer responded, “It's a funny thing, the more I practice the luckier I get.” I love that quote because it underscores the importance of preparation and good old fashioned hard work in achieving success, or being “lucky.”
So this morning I’m reflecting on this question, if success occurs when preparation meets opportunity, what is one thing we can do TODAY to help prepare for the opportunities we desire to meet?
Have a Sunny Day!
Clarity
Clarity Patton Newhouse
Metropolitan Lincoln Mercury
32000 Ford Road
Garden City, MI 48135
www.MetroMichigan.com
313-670-7505
P.S. Now is usually the hardest and best time to act, because you never know what tomorrow will bring or when opportunity will knock…
Thursday, November 12, 2009
The "If Only" Disease
Good Morning,
I’m sending you this note today because I often think, “if only” I could stay in touch with all the people I know. I sure would like to be in touch instead of making excuses like, there’s not enough time, or what could I say that you’d be interested in anyway…
I just heard a piece of advice that I’m putting into practice right now and passing along to you, in case it helps you, too. “Don’t catch the “IF ONLY” disease,” is a warning from James Malinchak. It was an important reminder for me to quit making excuses – if only I could do this…if only I had time for that… Excuses are like a disease and, yes, they’re contagious - one excuse leads to another.
So that’s it, no more “if only” excuses will keep me from saying “hi” to you. Starting with this little email, I’m going to stay in touch on a regular basis. I hope you don’t mind. I hope you’ll be happy to hear from me. Maybe today I’ve even jogged your memory about something you’d like to do “if only…” At least I hope you don’t think, “if only she would stop emailing me!”
Have a Sunny Day,
Clarity
P.S. “Sometimes you just have to take the leap, and build your wings on the way down,” Kobi Yamada. That's what I was thinking when I took the leap from Washington to Michigan in 2001 without knowing what lay ahead. Not surprisingly, it's the people I met here who helped make Michigan a great place to land, and it's the people I left behind who make Washington a great place to visit. Thank you!
Clarity Patton Newhouse
Metropolitan Lincoln Mercury
32000 Ford Road
Garden City, MI 48135
313-670-7505
www.MetroMichigan.com
I’m sending you this note today because I often think, “if only” I could stay in touch with all the people I know. I sure would like to be in touch instead of making excuses like, there’s not enough time, or what could I say that you’d be interested in anyway…
I just heard a piece of advice that I’m putting into practice right now and passing along to you, in case it helps you, too. “Don’t catch the “IF ONLY” disease,” is a warning from James Malinchak. It was an important reminder for me to quit making excuses – if only I could do this…if only I had time for that… Excuses are like a disease and, yes, they’re contagious - one excuse leads to another.
So that’s it, no more “if only” excuses will keep me from saying “hi” to you. Starting with this little email, I’m going to stay in touch on a regular basis. I hope you don’t mind. I hope you’ll be happy to hear from me. Maybe today I’ve even jogged your memory about something you’d like to do “if only…” At least I hope you don’t think, “if only she would stop emailing me!”
Have a Sunny Day,
Clarity
P.S. “Sometimes you just have to take the leap, and build your wings on the way down,” Kobi Yamada. That's what I was thinking when I took the leap from Washington to Michigan in 2001 without knowing what lay ahead. Not surprisingly, it's the people I met here who helped make Michigan a great place to land, and it's the people I left behind who make Washington a great place to visit. Thank you!
Clarity Patton Newhouse
Metropolitan Lincoln Mercury
32000 Ford Road
Garden City, MI 48135
313-670-7505
www.MetroMichigan.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
