White Space

Graphic designers know that if you have one element on the page, and lots of white space around it, the eye is drawn to that one element. Professional speakers know how to use a pause - silence - to emphasize a point. And musicians know that a break in the music creates anticipation.

How can we use the concept of white space to help advance our careers, and help achieve the Balance we desire? While the following ideas are quite different, they are tangible examples of how white space can be used:

• Format your documents so that there is as much emphasis on the white space as the text
• Don't rush to fill the silence with your ill-considered thoughts.
• Use the pause to help others understand your ideas, before you move on to your next point.
• Instead of scheduling your meetings back-to-back, add some time between, so that you can properly prepare - and properly digest - the meeting's subject matter.

This week's action item: For each of the ideas above, resolve to add some white space. Each day, find one example where you could improve your document formatting, "silence", pausing for comprehension, and scheduling. While adding white space may seem to be a less productive activity, it helps others focus on your most important ideas - and on you.

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Randall Craig is an expert on Career Development, Work-Life Balance, and Networking; to find out how his workshops, webinars, and keynotes can help your team or add to your event, contact him through www.PersonalBalanceSheet.com, or by email at editor@ptadvisors.com.

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Copyright © 2008 Knowledge to Action Press and Randall Craig. All rights reserved.

Publication Date: July 22, 2008