It's Okay To Backspace by Diana Reyes Williams
“Let the reader find that he cannot afford to omit any line of your writing because you have omitted every word that he can spare.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson
Do you ever send out an email, a text message, or social media post and find that it wasn’t what you meant? Was your messaging taken out of context? Have you ever typed something, spelled it wrong, and the word resulted in embarrassment? I’ll share that having worked for the Department of Public Works, the word “public” was often misspelled. It caused great embarrassment because individuals didn’t proofread their work. Grammar check and other proofreading software is great but don’t expect it to know what you meant to say. Sometimes we learn the hard way and have to backtrack to explain what we truly wanted to say or apologize for the words we typed. By then, the intent of the message is lost.
Instead of fixing a communication problem or typo, re-read the message once or twice and aloud. Is it clear and to the point? Is your spelling correct? Direct messaging is just that but it doesn’t need to be rude and should always be spelled correctly. For example, my family and friends know I’m a straight shooter. However, not everyone who reads my social messaging knows me. For me, it’s important to ensure my messaging is to the point, considerate, professional, and free from spelling and grammatical mistakes.
As one who proofreads others’ writings, I appreciate they know how critical it is to get someone else’s review. Grammar and spelling errors shouldn’t be our only concern. The tone of our messages matter. Review of your messaging tone is invaluable and will save you from having to explain what you mean. Having worked my way up from the clerical series to the level of executive assistant, I was exposed to many whose style of writing differed from mine. However, it was vital to make sure that while the style of writing might differ, the point was to make sure the messaging was clear, courteous, informative, and concise.
Again, we all have our unique style. However, grammar is a huge part of one’s success. It’s essential to be careful with how you say and write anything. I often catch myself backspacing frequently, and that’s okay because by the time I hit send, my messaging is about 99.9% on point.
Never send a message in haste. If it’s significant enough to send, it’s important enough to review. The impact of your communication, especially in the work environment, can cause irreparable damage to your reputation. Say what you need to say and be mindful of how your message may be taken. Think of the last time you spent time fixing a messaging problem after the fact. And remember, it’s ok to backspace.
Personal Challenge: When communicating by text, email, or letter does it pass this test? Is it true? Is it necessary? Is it kind? When in doubt, get a second opinion for content and errors. Read it out loud or ask a friend whose opinion you respect for their opinion. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
