The Power of Unfinished Sentences or Thoughts: Why Sometimes Less Is More
Clarence Cheong
Author of "More Than 100%" | Insightful & Funny | Wielder of Dad-Jokes | MDRT | CFP | DLI | Senior Group Financial Services Director | Podcaster | International Speaker | Woah what a mouthful... Still reading? ??|
Introduction
It's the middle of the day, and you've been working hard at your desk for hours on end. Suddenly, you realize that you haven't eaten anything since breakfast and your stomach is starting to grumble. You get up to make yourself a snack, but before you can even take two steps, your co-worker interrupts you with a question.
Do you stop to answer them or do you head to the kitchen?
In that moment, you have a choice: either you can continue what you're doing and answer them later, or you can stop what you're doing and give them your full attention. While it might seem like the polite thing to do is to answer them right away, sometimes it's better to let unfinished sentences go.
In this newsletter, you will see the power of unfinished sentences and why sometimes less is more.
The Art of the Unfinished
It can be tempting to want to fill every silence with words, but it's the unfinished sentence that packs the real punch.
There's something about the unfinished sentence or thought that captures people's attention and makes them want to know more. It's mysterious and intriguing, and it forces people to pay attention.
The next time you find yourself in a conversation with a customer, try leaving a few things unsaid. See what happens. You might be surprised at the results. I have even stopped mid-sentence in a conversation with a client, when I realised he wasn’t giving me my full attention.
I got his full attention.
Letting your customer complete the thought, to fill in the blanks? That can be an amazing way to let them realise why they need your product.
Staying on Top of Work
When you're preparing your work, writing emails, proposals, or any other type of document, and you have to stop mid-way to perform some other task, leave the last sentence unfinished.
This technique is used to create a sense of anticipation to bring you back to your piece with an eager mind. By leaving a sentence unfinished, you're telling your brain there's more to come, and you naturally want to complete the thought and the piece, giving you a bigger drive to do so.
It's a subtle technique, but it can be really effective in getting your point across. So next time you're stuck for words, try leaving a sentence unfinished and see how it affects your writing.
How to Use Unfinished
There's something about them that grabs your attention and makes you want to keep reading. They're like a tease, leaving you wanting more. And when used strategically, they can be a powerful tool for engaging your reader.
But how do you use them in your writing? Here are a few tips:
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The Benefits of Using Unfinished Sentences
First, unfinished sentences keep the conversation flowing. They create a sense of anticipation in the other person, which makes them want to know what you're going to say next.
Second, unfinished sentences force people to pay attention. They make people stop and think about what you've said, and they make them want to find out more.
And finally, unfinished sentences are a great way to control the conversation. They help you to stay in control and keep the other person paying attention.
The Dangers of Using Unfinished Sentences or thoughts
You might be wondering, what's the big deal? Why is it such a bad thing to use unfinished sentences?
Well, the thing is, unfinished sentences can be really confusing for your customers. They might not know what you're trying to say, or they might not understand your point of view. It can also be really frustrating for them, and it might even make them lose interest in what you're saying.
So why do people use unfinished sentences? Sometimes it's because they're trying to be mysterious or enigmatic. Or they might think that it makes them sound more important or smarter. But in reality, it just makes them come across as unclear and unprofessional.
How to Avoid Using Unfinished Sentences (95% of the time, do this)
I know you might be wondering why this is such a big deal, and I'm glad you asked. Unfinished sentences can potentially make your writing seem unpolished and unprofessional. They can also be confusing and make it difficult for your reader to follow along.
The best way to avoid using unfinished sentences is to take the time to plan out what you want to say. Make sure your thoughts are well organized and that your sentences are complete. If you find yourself struggling to come up with the right words, take a step back and re-think your approach. There's no need to rush through your writing - quality is more important than quantity.
Conclusion
When it comes to your writing or persuasion, sometimes less really is more. Unfinished sentences and thoughts can be incredibly powerful, and they can help you to pack a lot of punch into your words.
Use unfinished sentences to create a sense of mystery and intrigue. They can also be a great way to leave your reader wanting more. When you use unfinished sentences, you're in control – you get to decide how much information to give your reader, and you can leave them wanting more.
Unfinished sentences can be a great way to inject some personality into your writing, and they can help you to create a more informal tone. So go ahead and try them out – see how they work for you. You might be surprised at how powerful they can be.
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Builder | Disrupting How Healthcare Works | Tech4Good Advocate | Storyteller
1 年My thoughts are...
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1 年This is a challenging situation. You need to be very calm and say excuse me, get your point across until you have been heard #ClarenceCheo .....
跨国企业高级副总裁, 擅长于内审、科技审计、反舞弊、风险评估/管理,可持续发展审计,合规审计(包括道德合规)、咨询、业务合作和 SOX (CA, CIA, CCSA, CRMA, CFE, CISA, CRISC)
1 年Guess one can politely tell the co-worker that one will tend to his questions after one is done with a quick snack, especially if one has gastric issue. Either that, if the co-worker doesn't mind, he/she can brief me on the issue while I have my snack.
To pride myself on being the best so that I can make a significant impact to the lives that I touch
1 年Food for thought... you are... ??
?? Smartist - an Artist who does Strategic Management Consulting
1 年That was