To Be Honest

What? Were you not honest before? This common expression is said all the time, and you may not realize it. “Honestly” or “let me be perfectly honest with you” are alternatives to “to be honest.” You don’t have to add this phrase to your conversations. It only brings up that you may not be honest at other times. You don’t need to qualify your statement with this phrase. Eliminate it and remember that less is more. You plant seeds of doubt in others when you say this meaningless phrase that doesn’t add value to any conversation.