Tip: I refuse to be confused!
The older I get, the more I am amazed by the amount of confusion that abounds in nearly every area of life. To be clear in our daily communications with others, as well as understanding what is said to us, is a challenge that most of us face. Even though it only takes a little extra effort to be certain that clarity exists, my experience has been that very few people are willing to take the necessary time to do that. However, nothing really gets done unless clear communication takes place.
Many of you who read the Tip each week are involved in a business. While it is important that family and friends communicate well with each other, it is imperative that a business be clear in its message. If you cannot clearly articulate what your business does, it will not be long before you are either frustrated or fail at what you are doing. Can you clearly articulate your business mission statement in one sentence?
I recently attended a seminar where the speaker said that in order to be successful in business you must understand your unique selling proposition. He went on to explain that a “unique selling proposition” is that certain something that your product or business has that gives you the competitive edge or sets you apart from everyone else.
When I heard him say that, my mind drifted back to a business class I took in graduate school where we were taught about “differential advantage.” It is essentially the same concept. It is the answer to the question, “What does my product or service offer that someone cannot receive from any another company or product?”
The speaker went on to say that it all boils down to being clear. If there is a fog in your own mind about what you have to offer, others will be confused as well. If you want to succeed in your business life or personal life, you will need to move to a whole new level of being clear in order succeed in everything that you do. Clarity makes that difference!
I refuse to live my life in a state of confusion! I have graduated from five different colleges and universities so I know that I am not dumb. However, I am still amazed at how often I experience confusion about a situation until I have further clarification.
As I was writing this Tip, I thought to myself, “I know that I have talked about being clear in previous Tips.” And, perhaps you are nodding your head yes – because you can recall them even as you read this one. But, it never hurts to be clear about being clear!
Tip: I refuse to be confused!
Have a great week! God bless you!
Dr. Robert A. Rohm
