Cost is what is spent.
Value is what is earned.
Cost is time, money, energy, lost opportunity, reputation, etc.
Value is time, money, energy, lost opportunity, reputation, etc.
Some things cost a lot, and have little value. Some things cost a little and have a lot of value.
Sometimes, you will face a decision between: something that costs a little and has a little bit of value, and something that costs a lot and has a lot of value.
The decision can not always be systematized. In other words, it is often situational.
Be aware, that when you decide to move with a decision that has little cost for a little bit of value, a(n opportunity) cost of that decision is the value of the declined decision.
I recently designed an idea for a new website, so I purchased the singular and plural domains. I bought both for the sake of protecting the idea. The domain names are the name of a kind of person…for example “soccerplayer.com” and “soccerplayers.com.”
I was giving thought to which domain I would use, and realized that the decision and conversation is important for directing the interpretation of someone who interprets the name of the domain, be it through language, work of mouth, or as a regular reader.
I realized that if I wanted to create a community website, that it would be best to use the plural, as the name connotes that multiple people would congregate at this website. For an interpreter of the plural domain name, that the domain suggests multiples of these people will congregate here, the assumption is that the content caters to the benefit of a group of people.
I also realized that if I wanted to create a website that focuses on the individual (be it the writer or the reader), that it would be best to use the singular, as the name connotes that one person is important on this website. For an interpreter of the singular domain name, that the domain suggests one of this kind of person will congregate here, the assumption is that the content caters to the benefit of one the author or reader.
I have recently been giving much more pointed focus to my communications, the language that I use and its effectiveness, different writing styles, etc.
One thing I have noticed is that I often say “feel free to…” and then an action that I wish for the other person to take. For example:
- Feel free to call me next Tuesday afternoon.
- Feel free to give me feedback on the document.
- Feel free to do X if Y.
The situation here is that your request is that the person “feel free.” That is it. That is the extent of the request.
Where this is problematic is that you do not usually want someone to simply “feel free.” Usually, this kind of request is has been made for the sake of taking some action. Not to simply “feel free.”
It is not effective to request that someone feel free. (…unless you are in a spiritual setting or yoga studio, perhaps.) It is effective to request that someone take action.
The solution here is a simple change of wording, from “feel free to” to “please,” or even leave it out, depending on the situation.
The request becomes more direct, clear, and purposeful.
- Call me next Tuesday afternoon.
- Please give me feedback on the document.
- Do X if Y.
- Please eliminate “feel free to” from the structure of your requests.
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