When to use Instant Messaging
Never.
Well, almost never. When you IM (or SMS, or call) somebody, they have to stop whatever they are doing and start doing whatever you are doing. If you are okay with that, you have my permission to send that chat message. If not, send an email. Here are some examples:
- “My dog is on fire, and you know where the bucket of water is!”
- “Sometime today can you think about ways to marinate toast?”
- “I just figured out how to tie my loafers, and I want to tell you all about it.”
Can you guess when to use an email and when to use a more immediate form of communication? I bet you can. Given that it takes the average person several minutes to re-focus after they’ve been interrupted, it’s worth taking a moment to think this through. If you’re abusing IM, you’re being abusive towards the people you’re messaging.
And remember: only you can prevent collie fires.
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