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E-Mail Tip #21 - Write from a Positive Point of View

Guest post by: Robert Whipple

Article Overview: It is amazing how much negativity there is in the world. This paper will give you some great techniques to make sure you are coming across with a positive way of phrasing things. This will enhance your career by making you more attractive to people.

E-Mail Tip #21 - Write from a Positive Point of View

When you interface with others in verbal conversation, are your statements mostly positive or mostly negative? How can you tell? Most people believe they normally frame things in a positive way because they understand the justification behind everything they say. An objective observer might see things differently. The same conundrum exists online, except in that environment there is a convenient way to witness ourselves in action.

Most issues communicated through e-mails can have a positive or negative slant. It is an interesting study to go back and read over 20 or 30 of your own e-mails. Get a sheet of paper and create a ledger sheet. Start reading your notes. Every time you come across a positive statement, put a plus sign on the right side of the ledger. When you read a negatively worded sentence, put a minus sign on the left side of the ledger. You can put a zero in the middle for each item that is neither positive nor negative. After you read 20 or so of your own notes, you will get a pretty accurate and graphic view of how positive you are in e-mail communications. This is one of the easiest things to control, yet most people do not think to check it. Anything can be stated from a positive or negative point of view. For example:

Negative point of view

• "Why can't we get any decaf coffee in the breakroom? You would think they believe everyone can tolerate high test. They just don't stop and think. It wouldn't cost any more money, and it would be appreciated by those who need decaf. You can bet the bigwigs upstairs have decaf coffee in their meetings."

Positive point of view

• "Wouldn't it be great if they provided a choice between regular and decaf coffee in the breakroom? It would be an excellent way for management to demonstrate their concern for employees."

As an experiment, try scanning all your e-mail for a week and screen out all of the negativity. I'll bet people will start asking you what has gotten into you. Don't admit to anyone what you are doing until the experiment is completed. If it works, pass the trick on to other people around you. This simple gesture can make a huge difference in the tone of an entire community over time. You will only need to monitor yourself for about four weeks. After that time, you will have formed a wonderful new habit of writing from a positive perspective. The more you practice, the easier it will become.

For a while, people may start calling you a "Pollyanna," but soon the transformation will be transparent, and you will have graduated to the next higher class in the college of human relations. If you are in a supervisory position, you can coach your team in this technique. You will become a much stronger leader by doing this. Writing from a positive point of view also means keeping your language under control.

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Article Tags: Email, point of view Positive leadership, trust



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Re: Subscribe to Your Category - Hi guys - since I'm interested in posts from every category here's what I do: When you log into the forums, on the home page at the top you'll see: View unanswered posts • View unread posts • View new posts • View active topics I just click through the "View unread posts" so I'm sure not to miss anything new.
Re: Quote of the Day - "Have the courage to follow your heart an - [quote="GT Bulmer":102twzd2]Hi, Evan: I haven't yet managed to capitalize on the longings of my heart as successfully as Jobs did[/quote:102twzd2] Hi GT - I woke up thinking about this post and I have a challenge for you for May if you're up to it. Here it is: Write the blog post / article you were born to write. Write something that you can pour your heart and all your passion into. Write something where you can change the life of the person reading it. Write something where if you look back in 10 years you'll be really proud of what you created. Can you do that? I'd love to read it (and I bet a lot of others will too!)
Re: What can You Learn from a Jobless and Homeless Woman? - Positive thinking and a desire for success are fundamental qualities of an entrepreneur in my opinion.
Re: What inspires you? - Put a Visual Board of your dream and look at it for 10 days. And see the fun. Another inspiration thing is to have "Constant Positive Affirmations". This really shifts energy towards your goal. Say it in the morning and before bed. Robert
Re: New Homepage Layout! - Thanks for the feedback GT - I'm glad you enjoy the new layout! Point taken on the Forums Hot Topics - we'll see how it develops. Right now it shows topics that have over 1,000 views on them and it's sorted by the most recent at the top.


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