Waive and waiver, wave and waver…. It can be confusing.
Give yourself a little test. In each of the sentences, below, fill in the correct word:
Continue reading “Wavering Over ‘Waiver’”Wavering Over ‘Waiver’
Analyse Your Time-Wasting
Time-wasting and time management are usually examined as cause and solution of problems with productivity.
In self-help books and coaching manuals a common exercise is this:
Begin by asking yourself the question: ‘Why do I waste time?’
Now list all the reasons why you do.
Asking ‘Why?’ is about finding the cause but it’s the wrong question – at least to start with.
Continue reading “Analyse Your Time-Wasting”A Quick KISS: 5 Things To Check
The KISS treatment. You might not need to give it to every piece of text but it’s always important that your writing is concise.
KISS = Keep It Short and Simple
Why? Three reasons:
- Your writing will be clearer and cleaner
- Your readers will stay engaged with your message
- You’ll save everyone’s time.
Imply Or Infer?
‘Imply’ or ‘infer’? Many people confuse these words. They are both verbs that deal with the communication of a message but they have different meanings.
Whether you use ‘imply’ or ‘infer’ also depends on whether you are the sender or the receiver of the message.
Continue reading “Imply Or Infer?”Every Body Speaks The Language
Your body language can betray your apprehensions and fears – and you might not even realise it.
We’ve all been there….
It might be a meeting, a presentation, a job interview or a sales pitch. It doesn’t matter; these situations have one thing in common. You – at least for some of the time – will be the centre of attention.
Continue reading “Every Body Speaks The Language”‘Home In’ Or ‘Hone’
‘Home in’ or ‘hone in’? Is there a difference?
Yes, there is. One doesn’t make sense.
I read this sentence in a recent article:
(The newspaper’s) reporting honed in on a set of emails ….
It should be ‘homed in’, of course, but not everyone would have you think so.
Continue reading “‘Home In’ Or ‘Hone’”Public Speaking … Who, Me?
Public speaking is a massive challenge. For many people, it’s the single most difficult and most terrifying thing they are ever asked to do.
You might be preparing for a business presentation or a tough job interview. Even worse, perhaps, you have to make a speech. You have to speak to a group and it’s something you just can’t get out of. So how will you deal with it?
Continue reading “Public Speaking … Who, Me?”Percentages: Do The Maths
These exchanges probably sound very familiar :
Sam: Are you sure you want to go?
Jo: Yep. Totally… 110%
Mal: Is this a really committed relationship?
Toni: Absolutely… 1,000%
A mathematical impossibility – in both cases.
It’s also a valid language concern.
Pronunciation Pitfalls
Have you ever fallen into the pit of poor pronunciation?
We’ll start with what is possibly the worst word to mispronounce; it’s a horrible irony.
(True story) I once overheard a language teacher say to her students:
‘It’s absolutely essential you get your pronounciation right’.
The intended advice was excellent but… ‘pronounciation’? No. No.
Continue reading “Pronunciation Pitfalls”You Want To Work As a Freelancer?
You’ve decided you want to work as a freelancer. You ditched the day job to go out on your own, and now you’re a contractor-sole trader-free agent. Your dream of freedom and flexibility has come true. It’s ideal… isn’t it?
Continue reading “You Want To Work As a Freelancer?”