By Johnson Brandy


That’s the total number of emails I received just in
May, and it’s about my average. That’s not counting
the hundreds and hundreds of messages Gmail
dumped into categories for promotional mail, forum
posts, and social networking updates. I’ve become
proficient at jumping through messages quickly
(using the J and K keys), but there’s one thing I’ve
mastered even more than that: spotting a lack of
confidence.

I also take quite a few cold calls—people who are not really sure what I do and have not really done too much research but have me on a phone list for some reason.

In most cases, it’s a pitch about a product or
someone asking a question about marketing to
journalists. They might say they “usually” do
something. In a few cases, it’s someone with a
business idea they “suspect” will be perfect. Most of the time, these messages are straightforward—the sender isn’t messing around. But a few seem
hesitant. I fire back a question, and the response
makes me question their authority on the subject.
These words are not always triggers about
confidence level, but they are my first signal that
something is amiss. They make me think the sender is not that sure about the product or service. And, they are dead giveaways that I need to question what they say.


1. Might

Be careful when you tell people you “might” do
something. Are you sure about that? No one is asking you to solve world peace. When you say you “might” finish a report, it implies you lack some ability, don’t manage your time well, or have too many priorities.


2. Won’t

Here’s an obvious word to avoid in your emails.
Anyone who says they “won’t” do something or they “won’t” attend a meeting is generating a negative vibe. Be more decisive: Either accept an invitation or reject it; using the word “won’t” suggests hesitancy.


3. Usually

This is a trigger word in email that make it obvious to everyone that you don’t have all of the facts. If you say the accounting department “usually” doesn’t approve your expense report or the boss is “usually” late to work, it means you’re stretching the truth.


4. Suspect

Unless you are talking about a suspect in a trial,
avoid saying you “suspect” anything. You’re not
Sherlock Holmes. Just use direct terms: You know an
investor is pulling out of the project and here’s why,
or you have facts to support your conclusion on a
new marketing plan.


5. Impossible

I bet Mark Zuckerberg never used the word
“impossible” in an email. The recipient will lose
confidence in you quickly. State why something
might be hard or difficult, or just don’t agree to a
course of action. Don’t bother telling people it’s
impossible.


6. Worried

We all worry about the stresses of life. Telling people you are worried by email makes it seem like you lack confidence in your abilities. If you are worried, don’t bother saying that to anyone—just express what you are concerned about and offer solutions.


7. Confused

Expressing your confusion will create even more
confusion. It’s better to just say what you are
confused about and ask questions. Saying you are
“confused” gives people the impression that either
you don’t understand something or that the topic is
confusing to you.


8. Need

We all have needs in life. When you express those
needs by email over and over again, it makes you
look needy. I need you to come to work early, I need
you to get that report done. Avoid saying need, and
express requirements more directly.


9. Quandary

Have you sent a message and said you were in a
“quandary” before? You should know that the word
means you are in a total state of perplexity. I mean,
you are really perplexed. That’s not often the case
when it comes to a new business proposal or
fundraising round.


10. Likely

Few of us are in the business of predicting the future. If you say something is “likely” in an email, you are expressing to the recipient that you are not really sure about the topic and you don’t have all of the facts yet. It’s likely that you just lack confidence.

Really nice and helpful info.. #positiveMind

More to come, just don't know if this is the right section for such.

Op, who told you?

I use some of dis words nd av not lost my confidence.. Its only a perfect human being dat will do without dis words nd d last tym i checked:NO ONE IS PERFECT.