When you have a document printed, the print shop asks for either “camera-ready” material which they will either just duplicate or, if you are having them typeset your copy, they will have you approve a proof copy before they start the printing press or hit the “print” button on their high-speed copier. So, if there is an error – maybe a misspelling, incorrect usage of a common word that a word processor’s spell-checker won’t catch (think of to, too, two, tow) or an error in a phone number or address, you are responsible for the error, not them.

This was rudely brought to my attention recently when, in a rush, I made the error and typed a telephone number incorrectly in a document. Thankfully I don’t make this type of error often. It’s been at least five years since the last time but it is an expensive error and an embarrassing one. I do know better!

So, in an attempt to make lemonade out of lemons I thought I’d publicly scream out, “Stop the presses!” and turn my oversight into a lesson for myself and for anyone else who distributes written content; no matter whether it is in printed form, hand-written, or in e-mail.

The core of the problem is that, when we proofread our own work, we know what we wrote or, at least, we think we do. A part of our mind tells us something like, “OK, I’ve seen this before and it’s fine” without reading it critically. Our eyes recognize our address, our phone number, names, and other very familiar material and passes over them quickly. That is how most mistakes happen.

To avoid those “easy to make and difficult to spot” errors stop the presses. Take the time to read your finished copy word-by-word (a proofreading trick is to read the content backwards so you read the words, not the content). Ask someone else to proof-read it also so it is seen with a pair of fresh eyes. Then read it again.

You will make far fewer embarrassing and expensive misteaks… whoops! Oh darn!

Larry Galler coaches and consults with high-performance executives, professionals, and small businesses since 1993. He is the writer of the long-running (every Sunday since November 2001) business column, “Front Lines with Larry Galler” For a free coaching session, email Larry for an appointment – Larry@larrygaller.com. Sign up for his free newsletter at http://www.larrygaller.com

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