If Everything Is a Focus, Nothing Is A Focus.

I ran across this great article entitled 10 Ways to Write Clearly. Make That 9, No, Just 1. To summarize “The most effective way to get your point across is to focus on just one point.” The author continues “…if you toss too much into one document, your primary message will get lost, mostly because you do not have a primary message.”

I have a saying that I often have to use when selecting announcements. “If EVERYTHING is a focus, NOTHING is a focus.” The entire point of a “focus” is to narrow the scope. A visual image that I like to use is a dark theater with a spotlight on one actor…versus a thousand florescent bulbs lighting your local super store.

Whether is it announcements or an article, if someone isn’t crystal clear about the next action you are asking them to take, you’ve failed as a communicator.

In summary, to communicate more clearly, narrow your focus.

Got the point?