Improve your editing.

Anybody can write. With a little work and care, anyone can write clearly. But to be truly effective, pay close attention to self-editing.

For starters, actually edit. The spontaneous eruptions of most emails, letters, reports, web comments and Tom Clancy novels have far less impact and clarity than most people intend. A short cooling-off period followed by re-thinking and polishing can make a telling difference.

Of course, you may not need this advice. No offense intended. You may want, instead, to forward this to people who might benefit. I’m just sayin’.

Next time: three micro-lessons for editing success.