Could This One Tiny Change to How You Write Emails Make You More Productive and Less Stressed?

Email is crucial for professional communication in today’s digital age. Yet, reading and processing the enormous number of emails we receive daily drains time and energy, making us more stressed and less productive.

While we cannot immediately reduce the volume and increase the quality of the emails we receive, we can improve the emails we send.

One way we can do this is by learning to BLUF.

What is BLUF?

BLUF stands for “bottom line up front”. Perhaps unsurprisingly, this communication approach originated in the military. An army leadership training text explains:

“What is your bottom line (your position, conclusion, or recommendation)? Put it upfront at the beginning. Arrange your writing, speech, or briefing so your audience can quickly and easily understand your intent.”

(Command and General Staff School, US Army Command and General Staff College, 2009).

The Benefits of BLUF

BLUF allows you to get straight to the point. The most crucial information in your email is less likely to be skimmed over; your email is clearer. You save your readers time, making them more likely to respond…