Stop the Bombing Runs!

It’s a short post on a heavy subject. When I’m in the heat of battle over an important issue, passion takes over. I get caught making statements that are emotional and less than relevant to whatever the problem is in the first place. I’ll read whatever it is I’ve written, then read it back to my wife and her comment is always the same, “Don’t bomb!”

Virtually every time that sends me back to the drawing board to rewrite it, be more specific and stick with the topic, the issues on a factual basis, leaving the emotion out and the main points in. Here are some points the next time you’re in the heat of battle:

• Whatever you’re writing, if it’s a hot topic, don’t send it until you’ve slept on it for a night.
• Don’t use boldface or caps to make a point and leave out multiple exclamation points. Writing a sentence and ending it with a string of exclamation points is the same as flipping somebody the bird!!!!! (see what I mean?)
• Could you get your point across better with a phone call or in person? Email is a horrible way to communicate over a hot issue, and I’ve learned that the hard way.
• Share your thoughts with another family member or friend who’s not involved in the skirmish. They can be objective when you’re not.
• Last but not least – don’t sweat the small stuff and most of the time it’s ALL small stuff.

Those of you who know me well, know my hot buttons and when they’re pushed, the hardest thing for me to do is slow it down and think it through.

“The greatest remedy for anger is delay.”
Seneca