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  When I was a child I watched my mother-who was a head secretary in a public school-write using a technique called Gregg shorthand. This writing technique involved using symbols that appeared to me as squiggly lines to represent words and phrases. Using shorthand enabled my mother and secretaries like her to record dictation quickly. They then transcribed their shorthand notations into full sentences.

When I was in college I used a different form of shorthand that involved using a few letters to represent whole words and phrases-for example, "t" = "the"; "nt pft" = "net profits" in accounting class. As my mother's shorthand in a previous generation, my shorthand enabled me to take extensive notes in class. I then transcribed those notes when I returned to the dorm.

Generations entering the workplace today use something very similar to shorthand. The shorthand is the writing style used for text messaging and instant messaging. One or more letters and numbers represent entire sentences. This writing style is natural for a generation of people raised in an instant messaging / digital download / portable text device era. The writers understand each others' abbreviations and symbols used in this writing style. The challenge comes in transferring text messaging skills to the professional environment.

There is little use for the text message abbreviated writing styles in the professional world. The only time I can think such style is appropriate is when an individual makes his or her own abbreviated notes they will later transcribe to full prose. If you are a proficient text message writer and this is what you learned and mastered as a communicator, you must develop professional writing skills for business communications.

Fill the gap in your writing skills through on-the-job writing skills training or through writing classes outside the workplace. Poor writing skills demonstrate a lack of professionalism. Writing skills take time to develop.

Seek to learn, improve, and constantly practice writing skills. If your writing is unintelligible to-or difficult to read by-the reader, your message will not be received. Writing skills are part of effective communications. Without strong communication skills you find yourself behind others with strong skills for hiring, professional advancement, business growth, and gaining opportunities to succeed in life.

Shorthand-and abbreviated writing-has its place. Its place is not as a written communications skill in the professional work environment.