A while back, I wrote a post detailing three important steps for properly reading your email. The steps themselves may seem overly simple, but after some of my experiences this past week, I thought a refresher course on the matter was prudent. Without further ado, here are the steps:

Step 1. Turn off all distractions.
Step 2. Open email.
Step 3. Read each sentence.

As simple as the rules may seem, they aren’t always followed. Is it like that for you, too? If so, here’s my latest tale for commiseration. The outcome of this particular exchange worked in my favor, but a part of me feels bad for the publication.

I graduated from college with a bachelor’s degree in Finance, therefore my mathematical comprehension may be a little above average. But $100 x 2 x 2 = $400. No matter how you slice it. And it doesn’t take calculus or any other advanced mathematical formula to arrive at that conclusion.

Between my spam, junk, and trash folders, I receive thousands of bogus emails in any given day. And I realize that influences the brain into thinking emails are not that important. But I like to look at email as an extension of myself. I work from home. Email is vital in my daily communications. It’s one way that I can represent myself, my company, and our brand. I mean with a name like O’Brien COMMUNICATIONS Group, we’d better be able to formulate a few clear, coherent sentences. And while we’re at it, we shouldn’t let failure to read email thoroughly result in 50% discounts!