Don’t Over-Communicate

Marseille, 2015
Marseille, 2015

“Be there in 5 minutes!” “Be there in 3 minutes!” “Be there in 2 minutes!”

why do we over-communicate?

This is the problem of the internet, text messaging, and modern technology. Because communication has effectively become “free” — we don’t value it as much. We over-communicate, which ends up distracting and harming us.

It takes more time to shorten things

When communication was more difficult, we put more thought, love, and consideration into our messages. We spent longer periods of time crafting letters, and didn’t expect a response immediately. But when we did finally get a response, it was full of consideration, energy, and thought.

I think it was Pascal who said something along the lines of:

“I apologize for the length of this letter. If I had more time to write it, I would have made it shorter.” – Pascal

I’m sorry

I’m totally guilty of over-communicating. I value speed, efficiency, and rapidness above all. The biggest problem is that I don’t think before communicating. I often mis-read messages, and respond too quickly. This ends up ruining the conversation, and my relationships with others.

Less, but better

Pause. Take a breath. Slow down.

Modernity wants you to do everything quickly. Yet the quicker we do things, the less considerate we are. The less reflective we are. The shallower our thoughts.

Let us learn to communicate less often, but with more depth. Let us learn to say fewer words, but with more intent.

Less is more, and often better.

Always,
Eric

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