Once upon a time... a story about starting a good story!

'Once upon a time', there was a really bad idea.

It probably began with a noble idea and got lost somewhere after the words, 'Once upon a time...'

Timelines. Chronologies. I am sure they work really well in some forms of learning and tuition. But they kill effective communication.

Starting your words with an emphasis on origins is the worst way to communicate a message. It puts a big emphasis on something other than the point of your story or message.

The thing we need to say is usually the first thing we need to say... not a preparatory context that details the 'diarised' recounting of an event. Backgrounding should stay out of the frame when it comes to the start of effective communication.

As a journalist, I was always taught to get to the point. The 'how' and the 'lead-up' should follow the headline and vital points of the introduction. It is a principle that works so well in all types of communication, especially emails and phone calls.

PS: Once upon a time, there was a story that was way too boring to continue. The end.