Actions speak louder than words? Not always.

I've never liked the idiom "actions speak louder than words." Words can be meaningless and shallow, but so can actions.

You can't ignore what you're saying just because you do a damn good job at what you're doing.

If you're a real go-getter but you tend to offend or confuse people because you don't choose your words wisely, your words may inadvertently speak louder than your actions.

So how do you ensure that your words represent you well?

1. Think before you speak - Sounds simple, doesn't it? Think about how your words might sound to others. Know your audience and learn how to speak to them. And please, don't give me the "I'm just blunt like that" excuse. It's typically another way of saying "I'm rude and I don't really care what people think." This attitude doesn't bode well for one's career or one's personal life.

2. Watch for body language - Do people grimace or look uncomfortable after you've said something? Perhaps you're offending them. Watch out for this and heck, go the extra mile and ASK them if you've offended them. The moment of awkwardness will alleviate many more in the future.

3. Follow in the footsteps of people who have a way with words - Do you have a friend or co-worker who always says the right thing? Learn from them. My writer/reporter friends always ask people interesting, thought-provoking questions--on and off the job--that show that they're actually interested in what the person has to say.

4. Speak properly - Slang might sound cute, but omg does it come off as ignorant. Ask your significant other, best friend, roommate or anyone else you see frequently to alert you to when you're using 'like' 'umm' 'whatev' or other slang/filler words. You'll get so annoyed that they'll disappear from your repertoire in no time.

5. Learn to communicate well on paper and online - Communicating your thoughts online can be challenging. Read each post, comment, etc a second time--out loud is even better--to ensure you're getting your message across. If you think it might sound offensive or confusing, rewrite it or double check with a friend or co-worker. A quick once over is just as important when writing a paper as it is when creating an online impression of yourself.