Wes Kao · 5 min read · Productivity
Avoid “ASAP” and other high-strung, non-specific words
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The piece argues that vague urgency words like ASAP create confusion and anxiety, and offers concrete ways to signal time-sensitivity. It provides practical scripts to convey priorities and deadlines, moving teams from abstract urgency to actionable steps, and encourages over-communication when onboarding new teammates or coordinating with others.
Key Takeaways
- Avoid vague terms and replace them with concrete sequences and deadlines to reduce miscommunication.
- Use explicit scripts to communicate priorities, such as 'Do this first, then this second' and 'By [date/time]'.
- Over-communicate when coordinating with new or external stakeholders to ensure alignment and clarity.
- Leverage 'If you only have time to do one thing' to elevate a single priority and focus effort.
- Clarify what can wait and what must be done by a specific time to reduce anxiety and unnecessary work.
Excerpt
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