Secret #4 – Communication - Script

Earl Wilson said: If you wouldn't write it and sign it, don't say it. Much as I agree, I’d go further to say: “if you don’t want anyone else to see what you have said don’t write it.” And most importantly, “If you don't know it, don't write it.” (Darrell Schweitzer)

Although, "writing is the best way to talk without being interrupted" (Jules Renard), too many of us write notes/letters/emails spontaneously…just the way we feel. The “good thing” about writing is that there is a “safety net” – you have the opportunity to review what you have written and reassess if that’s what you really want to say or if what you have written I - except when you (inadvertently or prematurely) press the “send” button & don’t have a message recall option.

Personally, I recommend that if you need to “say” something to someone, contact them and say it verbally. If you must send a note, email or have to document it, then be very careful in your choice of words. For instance, as Christians, we always hold God to His word (I do) because He inspired people to write it down. If we didn’t have His written word, we may not have had very much to hold God to other than individual impression and expressions of what they think God has said or is saying to them – now that would have been one chaotic world. Thank God that He documented what He means and means what He says.

Likewise, always mean what you say or write and never write out of anger because that is a passing feeling. Similarly never write when you’re in any emotional roller coaster (e.g. extreme happiness) because you could very well promise people (such as your children) things you neither have the capacity or willingness to do.

To avoid falling into the pitfall of writing things that come to haunt you later, “have something to say, and say it as clearly as you can. That is the only secret.” (Matthew Arnold)