Stop striving!
There are a lot of weak words in the English language. Sometimes they are good for softening bad news or for being subtle. However, some are just … well … weak.
“Just” is actually one of those weak words, of course. The word “just” minimizes the importance of the rest of the message.
Starting a message with “I’d like to ….” is also weak and unnecessary. If you’re writing a message of thanks, say thanks. Saying “I’d like to thank you ….” sounds as though you’d like to, but you’re not sure about it. Likewise, “I’d like to take this opportunity to ask ….” is much too wordy and weak. Simply ask the question, without the awkwardness and hesitation of the preliminary phrase.
Why should you stop striving? Striving is the same as trying. For a business to say it’s “striving to provide the best service,” can sound incredibly weak. The message there is “we’re not really doing it, but we’re trying.”
Eliminate the wishy-washiness of the message. Be confident. Do you provide the best service? Say it! Stop saying “we strive to provide the best service.” Do you treat your customers well? Don’t say “we strive to provide good customer service.” Say “we provide the highest quality customer service.”
Do you really want to do business with a company that is just striving to do something for you?
In the words of the great and wise Yoda, “Do. Or do not. There is no try.”
Stop striving. Start doing.
Are your words working for you?
