Want to get things done more smoothly and reduce the number of crossed wires in your life?
Then stop saying “As Soon As Possible” (ASAP). Today.
On the surface, ASAP is useful in conveying urgency. It says I’m in a hurry, so do this fast. It also rolls off the lips easily. The two syllables convey that you are serious and need results now.
Unfortunately, as my first boss taught me twenty years ago, ASAP is one of the greatest sources of organizational conflict and suffering. Every time you say it, you triple the odds of misunderstanding, dropped balls, and disappointment. The reason is simple: ASAP means different things to different people—not sometimes, but all of the time. [Read more…] about ASAP Is A Four-Letter Word