For the sake of productivity, effectiveness, and frankly, my own sanity, I have adopted several resolutions and practices regarding the way I approach communications. This affords me the time and energy to communicate more effectively and to serve more faithfully in the other areas of my life.
General Principles
- All communications—email especially—should be clear, succinct, and purposeful.
- All messages should be appropriate for the medium. For example, don’t send a fifty word text message or one presupposing a lengthy response.
- Rather than placing an unnecessary burden on your recipient, it is polite to filter yourself before sending a message.
- Chances are, your issue has been addressed somewhere already, and therefore it’s a good idea to do a Google search before asking a question or seeking general forms of assistance.
- If you have a question for me that is theological in nature, please search reformedforum.org. If it pertains to information about my church, please search hopeopc.com.
Personal Practices
- I aim to be prompt and helpful in my responses.
- My family and church receive the highest priority in my inboxes.
- I resolve not to respond to every message I receive. Sending a message does not automatically entitle someone to a response.
- I resolve not to become addicted or enslaved to electronic communications. As a result:
- I regularly go “communications dark” in the evening until the middle of the next morning.
- I check my email once or twice per day.
- I process my inbox to zero.
- I turned off email and text message sounds and notifications on my smart phone.
