Text shortcuts may feel fast, but unclear messages waste more time fixing misunderstandings. Learn how clear communication actually saves time and improves team efficiency.
The story
Ever rushed through a message with shortcuts like “idk” or “ttyl”? Sure feels quick, until that dreaded “What do you mean?” reply hits your inbox. Now multiply that confusion across your whole team – suddenly those “time-saving” shortcuts aren’t so efficient after all.
Let’s be honest – typing “u” instead of “you” barely saves time. But unclear messages? Those can bog down entire projects in a mess of back-and-forth clarifications. I learned this the hard way with work emails. What started as a quick shorthand note turned into an hour-long email chain just to explain what I meant in the first place.
The real time-saver is taking an extra minute to write clearly from the start. Use complete sentences. Add helpful details. Make your point easy to understand. I started following the SMART method – keeping messages Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound. It works wonders.
Think of it this way: spending 30 extra seconds to write a clear message beats wasting 30 minutes fixing misunderstandings later. Those little communication shortcuts might feel efficient in the moment, but they usually end up costing everyone more time in the long run.
So next time you’re tempted to rush through a message, pause and take the time to be clear. Your future self [and your colleagues] will thank you.
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