The 2009 email brevity challenge

It is a truth universally acknowledged by all that we all send and receive too much email. Email has seriously transformed our (working and personal) lives over the last 15 years (approx) but it has also officially become a complete pain in the b^@kside because we all receive too much of it.

Twitter, and to a lesser extent other social media status update messages, have transformed how we communicate effectively online again recently. In particular, tweeting forces us to think and then communicate succinctly and effectively in 140 character or less. Brilliant! Essential information only please – all others need not apply.

So, in recognition of this global problem some clever peeps have decided to take a stand and have come up with a novel New Year’s resolution. The adoption of micro-emailing; a commitment to scaling back work communications to as close to 140 as possible. And it’s an open challenge – thus, the “The 2009 email brevity challenge” was born. Check it out: http://tinyurl.com/97kz82 to see who has taken the challenge; and you may even wish to consider taking it yourself. I have.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!