Over-Explaining Is Expensive
Case Study
Ben’s brain was always full of good intentions.
He cared deeply about his team, so much so that he hand-wrote cards for every employee. And they loved it.
The problem? Each card took him forever to write… because he felt the need to include every tiny detail.
It took so much time, that often the task of “writing cards” stayed on his to do list for weeks and by that time he was due to send them another one.
His long-windedness showed up everywhere.
Meetings ran way longer than planned.
Emails were packed with extra info no one needed.
Even telling a story left people zoning out before he got to the point.
He knew he was losing people, but couldn’t figure out how to stop.
Until his brain learned to focus on what actually mattered
Thinking Skills
While you are doing any task, you (without even realizing it!) are using your 28 thinking skills.
When the thinking skills you need to use are strong, doing the task happens easily.
If the thinking skill you need to use is weak, doing the task will be a challenge.
The struggle that Ben had, came from a weak thinking skills of using relevant cues and precision.
Using Relevant Cues
Being precise is about being exact with your words, actions, or decisions.
Ben needed to understand what was relevant in this situation and then give it over in a precise way so people can understand him better.
Being Precise
Being precise is about being exact with your words, actions, or decisions.
Ben needed to understand what was relevant in this situation and then give it over in a precise way so people could understand him better.
Improving the Use of Relevant Cues with Precision
Here are 3 ways to we worked with Ben to improve his use of relevant cues and being precise:
1) Reread before you press send
I had Ben reread his email before pressing send to see if there was anything that was extra that didn’t need to be there.
2) Practice your voicenotes
Most people ramble in voice notes instead of being precise. I had Ben say out loud what he was planning to say in a voice note and then only after he was sure it was precise and gave only the relevant information, should he say it.
3) What’s the point?
Before making any point, especially in high-stakes situation, I had Ben ask himself the question: What’s the point I’m trying to make? This helps you stay focused on saying what is relevant to the point and explaining it in a precise way.
Your Challenge
Over-explaining Is expensive.
It costs you time and energy to explain it.
It costs time and energy for everyone involved and often it cost a ton of money in miscommunications, explaining yourself and fixing mistakes
The more precise you can be in sharing what’s relevant, the more people will be understand you better.
Your challenge this week is to practice one of the three ways Ben used to get better at using relevant cues and being precise.
We spoke about using relevant cues in episode 503, you can check that out to go even deeper.
Cheers to Peak Brain Performance!
ST Rappaport, Brain Engineer for ADHDish Business Owners
Hi, I'm ST,
Just like you, I want to get more done in less time.
Most business owners want to grow their business but already got a lot of stress.
At LifePix University we help you optimize your brain to become more efficient and effective while experiencing more inner peace.
Learn more here.
Your Essential Guide
to Cognitive Functions
This guide will give you all you need to start improving your cognitive functions. Learn what all 28 thinking skills are, how they apply to you and what you can do today to begin improving them.
Thinking Skills Assessment
Thinking is not one big thing. Thinking is made up of 28 parts, called cognitive functions.
Take the FREE assessment to see where each of your cognitive functions are currently at.
How much are your
Thinking skills costing you?
This calculator will figure it out for you in less then 5 minutes.
Over-Explaining Is Expensive
Case Study
Ben’s brain was always full of good intentions.
He cared deeply about his team, so much so that he hand-wrote cards for every employee. And they loved it.
The problem? Each card took him forever to write… because he felt the need to include every tiny detail.
It took so much time, that often the task of “writing cards” stayed on his to do list for weeks and by that time he was due to send them another one.
His long-windedness showed up everywhere.
Meetings ran way longer than planned.
Emails were packed with extra info no one needed.
Even telling a story left people zoning out before he got to the point.
He knew he was losing people, but couldn’t figure out how to stop.
Until his brain learned to focus on what actually mattered
Thinking Skills
While you are doing any task, you (without even realizing it!) are using your 28 thinking skills.
When the thinking skills you need to use are strong, doing the task happens easily.
If the thinking skill you need to use is weak, doing the task will be a challenge.
The struggle that Ben had, came from a weak thinking skills of using relevant cues and precision.
Using Relevant Cues
Being precise is about being exact with your words, actions, or decisions.
Ben needed to understand what was relevant in this situation and then give it over in a precise way so people can understand him better.
Being Precise
Being precise is about being exact with your words, actions, or decisions.
Ben needed to understand what was relevant in this situation and then give it over in a precise way so people could understand him better.
Improving the Use of Relevant Cues with Precision
Here are 3 ways to we worked with Ben to improve his use of relevant cues and being precise:
1) Reread before you press send
I had Ben reread his email before pressing send to see if there was anything that was extra that didn’t need to be there.
2) Practice your voicenotes
Most people ramble in voice notes instead of being precise. I had Ben say out loud what he was planning to say in a voice note and then only after he was sure it was precise and gave only the relevant information, should he say it.
3) What’s the point?
Before making any point, especially in high-stakes situation, I had Ben ask himself the question: What’s the point I’m trying to make? This helps you stay focused on saying what is relevant to the point and explaining it in a precise way.
Your Challenge
Over-explaining Is expensive.
It costs you time and energy to explain it.
It costs time and energy for everyone involved and often it cost a ton of money in miscommunications, explaining yourself and fixing mistakes
The more precise you can be in sharing what’s relevant, the more people will be understand you better.
Your challenge this week is to practice one of the three ways Ben used to get better at using relevant cues and being precise.
We spoke about using relevant cues in episode 503, you can check that out to go even deeper.
Cheers to Peak Brain Performance!
ST Rappaport, Brain Engineer for ADHDish Business Owners
Hi, I'm ST,
Just like you, I want to be more efficient and effective.
Most entrepreneurs want to grow their business but already got a lot of stress.
At LifePix University we help you rewire your brain to become more efficient and effective while experiencing more inner peace.
Learn more here.
Your Essential Guide
to Cognitive Functions
This guide will give you all you need to start improving your cognitive functions. Learn what all 28 thinking skills are, how they apply to you and what you can do today to begin improving them.
Cognitive Functions Assessment
Thinking is not one big thing. Thinking is made up of 28 parts, called cognitive functions.
Take the FREE assessment to see where each of your cognitive functions are currently at.
How much are your thinking skills costing you?
Find out by using this calculator (for free!)
