I often gush here about books that have inspired me and no more so recently than Karin Kuschik’s fabulous 50 Sentences That Make Life Easier. Just released in the UK, it has been in the top of the Spiegel Bestseller list for nearly 3 years and I now know why.
My current favourite sentence of the ones I’ve read so far is: ‘I’ve changed my mind.’
How many times do we make plans to see someone or be at a meeting and when the time nears, we realise it’s irrelevant, uninteresting or simply not something we want to do anymore? If you’re like me, you start scrambling around to find an excuse not to attend, or simply go and then regret doing it.
Karin’s answer is not only honest, but inspired: ‘I’ve changed my mind.’ She goes on to point out “It’s far easier for [our invitees] to accept a cancellation when it is delivered in a human, self-responsible and unambiguous manner, instead of being garnished with hollow phrases signifying fake regret.”
Of course, it means them changing their plans, but in my experience, if you’re honest with people, they appreciate that, even if it is an upheaval at that particular moment. I know I appreciate it if someone cancels on me, because I’d much prefer to know that someone is committed to seeing me because they want to, not because they feel obliged.
If you decide to get a copy of Karin’s fab book, I’d love to know which sentence/s makes your life easier, and why. Assessing how we appease everyone apart from ourselves is always wise to address from time to time, don’tcha think?