Are you out of time? Out of energy? Have you said lately, "I’m just not going to respond to that e-mail or phone call. Don’t they know how busy I am?" Yet, the time you are spending on your business is not exactly yielding the results that you really desire, need and/or want? Are you running around with your tongue hanging out? What has happened to all of that time you are saving?
I have a secret and I want to share it with you.
The secret:
1. Eliminate unresolved issues
2. Say what you mean and mean what you say.
How in the world can being clear with every word you state and eliminating unresolved issues create power and time? Thought you would never ask.
But first, let me give you some examples.
Are you saying:
• “I’ll deal with that tomorrow, even though you know the answer today?”
• “I’ll tell you when I can pay you tomorrow,” even though today you know you will not have the money for weeks?
• “The underwriter should have the file approved any day now,” even though you have not submitted it yet?
Are you using wiggle words like:
• “The check should be there”
• “You should have …….you name it”
• “The truck is on the road”
By the way, this is my favorite. When I built houses, the dirt contractor would say in response to “where the heck is the dirt?” “The truck is definitely on the road and should be there.” Eventually, I learned that this meant, the truck is on the road, going to another job but yes, the truck should be there, but it is not going to be because it is going to another job.
Can you believe that someone could be so disingenuous? Can you imagine the stress that he lived with? Can you imagine the power that this stress drained from him? He died a few years later of a heart attack well before his time.
I have found that the use of wiggle words like those in the example, misdirection, and even outright lies demoralize you and serve to drain your inner power. Why? It’s wrong and your body, soul and spirit are not in harmony with life and thus you are draining power at every turn.
Unresolved issues have the same effect and you may not even realize you are doing it. What unresolved issues? If you are leaving issues for tomorrow even though you know that tomorrow will yield the same answer, if you examine this carefully, you will find that the extra time spent worrying about the call you must make or will receive and then actually making the unnecessary call is really burning up not only your time but your energy as well. Let me give you some examples:
• “Can you pay this bill today?” I’m not sure, let me check, call me tomorrow.
• “I want to get together with you to resolve a misunderstanding.” Instead of an immediate response you may be saying: “I’m busy now, but let’s get together at a specific time next week” And then you send an email to your assistant to handle it. (Of course, some issues can be delegated but you know what I am talking about)
Another option is the one that I have come to prefer: Handle as many issues on the spot as possible. (Of course you must time block your day manage the interruptions)
If you don’t want to talk to the person, just say it and say it fast:
“You know, I am really upset about XYZ, the way you handled XYZ, and in the future, I would prefer that our relationship operate in this different manner," and then spell it out.
If you don’t know the answer, say, “I don’t know and I will know on this particular date and then I will call you.” Of course, then, make a note, work on the problem and do what you said you would do—call at the appointed hour. And don’t be a passive aggressive and tell someone what you think they want to hear. That is actually worse.
Only when we decide to face today and tell it like it is, as you know it at that moment, without puffing or shadowing, will we individually and collectively be as strong as possible. Why? Don’t know exactly but from personal experience it works best.
So, what is the action plan?
1. Decide to take control of your words. Say what you mean and mean what you say. That seems so quant but it is really very powerful.
2. Resolve issues on the spot if at all possible. If not, make a plan, and then stick to the time schedule. Do not allow issues to remain unresolved. If you know the answer today, state it. If someone asks a question, answer it, now or at least at a specified time-and then actually do that.
3. Determine to establish certainty in your words, actions, agreements and schedule. Then and only then will you have more energy, time power and ultimately, accomplishment. Try it. What do you have to lose?
Joel Pate is an entrepreneur and founder of multiple successful companies in the mortgage, real estate, and marketing space. For more information on Joel, contact him at
