The Sundown Rule & Better Communication

Unlike most I'm fortunate enough to drive long distances most days to teach workshops & seminars. When driving you can't do much (hopefully) rather than think, contemplate,  listen and drive. I use this time to listen to many podcasts and audio programs along with arranging my thoughts, it's my mental debunking time.

During each journey I aim to take one nugget of information that I can build into my life immediately. This maybe related to training, nutrition, lifestyle or other, by taking one I don't have to stop my car every 20 miles to write down the idea. I'm currently sitting in a service station in West Devon as I found this little gem so insightful that I wanted to commit it to memory by writing it down, here we are then.

Anyone who knows me will attest to the fact that I'm terrible at replying to emails, text message, phone calls, Facebook's, pretty much any form of communication other than verbal. I shrug off remarks of my rudeness by claiming I'm conditioning people to not contact me frequently, which is bullshit because when I don't receive any I feel lonely and unwanted.

Even more annoyingly is the fact that I'm consciously aware that I haven't replied which weighs on my mind at annoying times, during dinner, breakfast and bedtime. I feel bad for not replying. Often due to my laziness I leave the reply so long that I feel it would be rude and offend the respondent because of it's lateness so I don't reply at all, ever!! So I worry more. Hopefully someone out there is the same or am I just a crazy and lazy! Back to the little nugget:

Sam Walton's - The 'Sundown' RuleFrom Wal-Marts founder Sam Walton the Sundown Rule simply states that you should reply to all requests before Sundown (days end), "why put off until tomorrow what can be down today".

​This rule mostly applies to communication, and even if I can't provide a full response that day, a simple "thanks for the message, I'm currently full on, I'll reply properly day after tomorrow" would certainly unload my mind and demonstrate politeness.
Just the thought of applying this rule lifts a load off my mind. The thought of lying in bed at night without remembering I have to reply to all those damn messages and feeling bad for my rudeness & ignorance towards certain respondents.
Maybe your similar and this will help a little. Hopefully this post will provide a little accountability for myself, if you message in the future, expect a prompt reply!​