"The Power of Brevity!"
If you want to get more, decide to say less.
Sorry, I know I tend to get wordy—I just have a lot of thoughts flowing out.
I have to be disarmingly honest, and acknowledge that besides my attempts at being self-aware; in my communication, either on chat or even when replying in comments or; just simply expressing my thoughts I have always had to struggle with wordiness.
Sometimes when we have a lot to share, and our thoughts just flow; the messages become long. It may just show how much you care and want to express yourself, but it does not work in all situations. For some it could even be revolting and they could just shut off or distance themselves from you!
Well, I had my days, and I am indeed grateful to so many of my friends, family, well-wishers and mentors who had constantly highlighting this to me. “Better Late than Never” as they say I gave it a serious thought especially being an Author, Writer and Wordsmith, in learning the art of brevity! And did it work? Well it was not an overnight success; I am still at it, but has it brought about a change! Yes, And How!
Let me share a few of my thoughts and deliberations!
The art of keeping messages short and being articulate in any conversation is commonly referred to as conciseness or brevity. It can also be called succinct communication—the ability to express ideas clearly and efficiently, without unnecessary words or ambiguity. In professional or literary contexts, this skill is sometimes termed laconic style or pithiness.
While both conciseness and brevity refer to using fewer words, conciseness focuses on clarity and efficiency, ensuring the message is communicated effectively with minimal words, while brevity simply means being short or using a small number of words, potentially sacrificing clarity.
Succinct communication means conveying your message using the fewest words possible while still being clear and understandable. It's about being efficient and impactful, ensuring your audience grasps the core message without unnecessary details or jargon.
Easier said than done but here are a few tips on how to achieve it:
1. Clarity First:
• Know your core message: Before speaking or writing, identify the key point you want to convey.
• Eliminate redundancy: Avoid repetition, unnecessary details, and filler words.
• Prioritize information: Focus on the most important points that your audience needs to understand.
2. Concise Language:
• Use simple words: Opt for clear, direct language that is easily understood by your audience.
• Keep sentences short: Aim for shorter, more impactful sentences.
• Break down complex ideas: If needed, divide complex information into smaller, more digestible chunks.
3. Impactful Delivery:
• Be direct and confident: Sound confident and authoritative by being clear and concise in your delivery.
• Use strong verbs and active voice: Choose action-oriented language that drives your message home.
• Consider your audience: Tailor your language and level of detail to suit your audience's knowledge and understanding.
4. Practical Tips:
• Plan your message: Before communicating, take a moment to organize your thoughts and identify the key points.
• Edit ruthlessly: Once you've written or spoken, review your message and cut out any unnecessary words or phrases.
• Use visual aids: If appropriate, use visual aids like bullet points or short paragraphs to break up text and enhance clarity.
• Practice active listening: Pay attention to your audience's responses and adjust your communication accordingly.
Laconic Style or Pithiness!
We have seen above what we mean by conciseness, brevity or what is simply called succinct communication in formal or informal communication. In professional or literary contexts, this skill is sometimes termed laconic style or pithiness.
Let us try to understand this better.
Laconic and pithy both describe the quality of using few words to express something. "Laconic" emphasizes brevity and conciseness, sometimes to the point of seeming curt or abrupt. "Pithy" highlights the cleverness and effectiveness of the concise expression, often with a memorable impact.
Here's a more detailed explanation of what they mean and what is the subtle but marked difference between them.
Laconic:
This word describes a style of speaking or writing that is remarkably brief and to the point. It can sometimes imply a lack of social grace or a hint of rudeness due to its brevity.
Pithy:
This term suggests that the concise expression is not just brief but also meaningful, clever, and impactful. A pithy statement is often memorable and to the point.
Examples:
Laconic: "Sure." (A laconic response might be brief but not necessarily insightful)
Pithy: "A penny saved is a penny earned." (This is a concise saying, but it also carries a clever meaning and is memorable)
In essence, both words describe brevity, but "pithy" adds the element of cleverness and memorability that "laconic" may not always imply.
Oh Yes! While at the outset I had humbly acknowledged my tending to get wordy; it is all easier said than done to gain control over wordiness and develop the habit of concise, laconic or pithy communication. But as they say “Where there is a Will there is a Way”. Let me help you out a bit here. The process is slow but it will work.
Here is a short and effective way to presented to you in bulleted tips; on gaining control over wordiness and developing the habit of concise, laconic, or pithy communication:
Plan your key message before speaking or writing to focus on essential points only.
• Eliminate filler words and unnecessary phrases like "actually," "basically," or "you know."
• Use simple, clear language and avoid jargon unless absolutely necessary.
• Break long sentences into shorter, digestible parts.
• Use active voice and precise words to convey your message directly.
• Avoid repetition and over-explaining—give enough information, not too much.
• Think of your communication as a dialogue, keeping your talking turns short.
• Use bullet points or numbered lists when possible to organize thoughts cleanly.
• Practice editing your message by cutting redundant words and replacing long phrases with concise alternatives.
• Assume your audience is new to the topic and communicate accordingly for clarity and brevity.
I hope these tips help make your communication impactful and easy to understand, thus embodying laconic or pithy style valued in professional and literary contexts.
Furthermore to add; I found that besides slowly and steadily trying to get over my habit of wordiness, it had a sort of subtle psychological impact on my behavior, and demeanor as well. I found myself to be calmer, more in control of my impulsive nature. That indeed was a huge lesson and experience for me, which I am sure you too may experience!
Wishing you all the best! I conclude with this “succinct” yet powerful message that motivated me to go through this whole exercise for my own betterment and I hope it will for you too!
“If you want to get more, decide to say less!”
