Have you ever received an email that just rubs you the wrong way? Whether it’s the awful grammar that you spend ten minutes deciphering or the trail of question marks (or exclamation points) implicating the importance of their message, we have all been victims of bad emails.

Most of us know that writing with the caps lock on isn’t a good idea- most of us anyway- but email etiquette goes beyond that While you may think that there’s no way you can go wrong with a short, to the point email- you are mistaken. Emails like that can be viewed as rude, aloof, or cause the recipient to think the sender is upset with them. To prevent situations like this, re-read any email you send and change the wording if there is a sense of aggression, disinterest, or abruptness. There is always a way to get your point across, but in a manner that is less threatening. Here’s an example. Imagine you get this email in your inbox first thing in the morning…

“The file you sent with your email will not load. Can you send a corrected file?”

Or would you rather read this…

“Good morning, I seem to be having trouble opening the attachment that was sent yesterday. Can you please try to send it again? Perhaps a different format would help. Thank you!”

The two emails portray completely different attitudes. While the first one was not necessarily rude, it could be interpreted in a number of ways, depending on the recipient’s sensitivity, or their mood at the time it is read. The second version states the same objective, but in a much friendlier approach. The time it took to add a few extra words was miniscule when compared to the possible damage that could be caused by a “rude” email.

With the advance of technology, relationships are being built without the face-to-face interactions that we’ve become accustomed to and are relying more on the ability to communicate effectively with words. To maintain and grow a relationship, it has become increasingly important to portray yourself in a professional manner, but also with a sense of humanity and likeability. If you are able to do this, the chance that one of your emails could be misinterpreted and negatively affect a relationship you are trying to build will be greatly reduced.

As a creative professional, I have experienced my fair share of “writer’s block”, and a lot of the time, this blog is the culprit! But whether it is in the form of writing or designing, we have all struggled with it at one point or another. Sometimes when you look at something for too long, searching for a solution, you’re doing more harm than good. Here are some tips that may help you work through whatever wall you’re up against.

1. Walk away. This is probably the most effective technique that I’ve used. Nothing is more stressful than feeling the squeeze of a deadline when absolutely nothing is coming to you. Sometimes we can over think things- walking away gives your brain a chance to relax. Take a walk, call a friend, get on Facebook, or my favorite- go shopping. Whatever you do, just make sure you completely change your train of thought. Then, when you come back to the task at hand you will hopefully have a different perspective.
2. Consult a colleague. Having a sounding board to run ideas by is a great tool. The old saying, “Two minds are better than one,” certainly rings true. It’s not that you are asking for someone to give you the answer, just someone to brainstorm with. More than likely, your colleague (or friend, spouse, neighbor) will say something that can trigger the spark you needed.
3. Google. The web is a wealth of knowledge. Being presented with new material stimulates the brain and sometimes all it takes is a color combination or an image that will allow a concept to take shape.
4. Just do it. Everyone loves a blank slate but they can also be very overwhelming. Staring at a white canvas or document waiting for that brilliant idea may not be the best use of your time. To me, the best thing about computers is Ctrl+Z. Undo. Your first draft doesn’t have to be amazing- just add something to the white space so it doesn’t seem so… empty. This alone can help lift your spirits and before you realize it’s happening, the inspiration will come.  
5. Swipe File. This one takes a bit of pre-planning. A swipe file is a collection of photos, documents, pieces from other artists/writers- whatever you see in your normal day-to-day life that you find intriguing. You can store these items in an actual physical file or perhaps it’s more convenient to make a file folder on your computer.  This swipe file can be a great resource when you’ve hit a wall and need a little help unlocking it.

 Remember that inspiration is all around you; it’s simply a matter of being receptive to it. These tricks are a great way to climb that wall and achieve a result you are proud of.

Sometimes it’s hard to say it better than someone else already has… That’s the case with a blog article that I recently read about the “green” benefits of working with a Virtual Assistant. Please take the time to read this very well-written piece and give me a call to see how we can start getting your office more eco-friendly too!

Go Green, Keep Green… It’s a Virtual Thing  http://expertsupportsvcs.com/blog1/

Success is a funny thing. The more successful you are, the more help that you need. Your business has become a success because of the time and effort YOU put in, not anybody else. It becomes a part of you, if not the definition. However, there will become a point where you are too busy to give each client the attention they need. This is where delegation comes into play. A lot of people shy away from the need to delegate because they are afraid of losing control or trusting someone else to get the job done correctly. Take it from a self-proclaimed control freak- I understand how difficult this is. I’ve learned that there are other people who share the same quality of work as you- it’s just a matter of finding them. Another objection is that there’s no way that anyone else could do the things on your to-do list. Is that really true? Ask yourself a few questions to help gauge whether or not that spreadsheet is really something that you need to update or if someone else can.

• Is there someone else who has (or can be given) the necessary information or expertise to complete the task?
• Is this a task that will recur, in a similar form, in the future?
• If you take the time to complete the task yourself will you fall behind on something else?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, there is definitely a need for you to start passing off your workload. Focus on your strengths and delegate your weaknesses. Being able to prioritize your workload and delegate to others will only bring more success to the business you have been so dedicated to. Allowing yourself to rely on the expertise of others will not only help you accomplish more, it will also help further yourself and push your business to the next level.