Express yourself

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Erin R. Babis
  • 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --  I'm involved in every aspect of your life.

It doesn't matter if you're a maintainer, "nonner," officer or enlisted. I don't care if you're trying to decide which bad guys to target or what to eat for dinner; you need me.

I can be your worst enemy or your best friend. It's all up to you. Use me wisely.

I am communication.

Today, you have a plethora of choices when it comes to communicating. You have traditional methods like talking, writing, calling and the age-old-classic, body language, but, with advances in technology, you also have new platforms like text messages, Skype, Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, blogs, and the list goes on. Any method can be effective, as long as you choose the right words and the right medium for the audience you want to communicate with.

Practice makes perfect, and there are ways you can learn if you want to take a class or join a group that focuses on improving effective communication skills.

BUT, before you sigh and roll your eyes, thinking you don't have time for anything like that, there's one thing you can do with almost no effort at all.

Think.

Before you open your mouth or press "enter," stop, take just one moment to really think about what you're trying to say.

Are those the best words you can use to articulate your point? Is this the best time? Place?

If you're confident that everything is on-point, then, by all means, let words fall where they may.

Remember, I can make or break relationships and careers. For the sake of your own quality of life, don't take me lightly.