Welcome to Issue 88 of Clearly YOU. Every second Wednesday, I serve up ideas that help you cut through the blah-blah and actually get heard. Clarity. Confidence. Realness. That’s the magic combo that makes people remember you. Not a subscriber? Sign up now.

Remember the old expression "have them on speed dial"?

If you're too young to know what speed dial was, ask ChatGPT before you keep reading, because context is everything.

Anyhoo...

The folks you had on speed dial were there because you could count on them. They were going to do what you needed done, every single time. And while the tech is outdated, the concept is timeless:

When YOU are the most trusted person, YOU get the call.

Think about the people you've hired to do something more than once. I bet they're competent. But that's not why you go back to them over and over.

Competence makes them useful. That trust connection makes your Go-To!

Cool Quote

“Trust is confidence born of two dimensions: character and competence.”

Stephen M. R. Covey, The Speed of Trust

Try This: The Speed Dial Test

Think of someone in your professional space that you consider a Go-To person. Someone you would have on Speed Dial - if you took your time machine back to the era of boy bands, shoulder pads, and Friday night trips to Blockbuster.

List at least 3 things that make that person your Go-To. Hint: It's probably not because "they're good at Canva" or "they know Excel."

Here’s my example:

I'm thinking of Allison Woad. She designs websites and she's very good at it. But that's not why I use her every single time. That's not why I stopped getting multiple quotes.

Allison is my speed-dial-worthy website person because:

She listens deeply. I feel heard and understood.
She keeps her word. Extra costs don't pop up out of nowhere. And if she says something is do-able, it gets done.
She's not overly sensitive. If I don't like a colour or layout, I can say it's not my cuppa tea and move on.

NOW FLIP IT.

Are you on anyone’s speed dial list? Are there people who use you again and again? If so, ask yourself:

🎯 What personal qualities do I show most consistently that earned me that spot?

Complete the list again, but this time with YOU as the focus:

This person has made me their Go-To because…

👆 That’s powerful stuff, my friend. Start showcasing those qualities - on your website, on social, at events, and in your everyday interactions.

These are your trust-builders. Lean into them.

‼️ Warning: Don't just guess. If you’re not sure what qualities put you on someone’s speed dial, ask your repeat clients. Clarity beats assumption every time.

Stuff Worth Sharing

Was feeling creative today, so I played in Canva. Feel free to screenshot and share.

For the Word Nerds

“On speed dial” is an idiom - a phrase that started off literal and then got promoted to metaphor.

Literal origin: Back in the landline and early cellphone days, you could assign numbers to one-touch buttons. (1 = Mom, 2 = your best friend, 3 = the plumber who always rescued you.) No fumbling with ten digits. Just beep, instant connection.

Figurative use today: When you say someone is “on speed dial,” you mean they’re your Go-To. The person you reach for instinctively, without hesitation.

That’s the cool thing about idioms: they’re creative shorthand.

But every idiom has a shelf life. While “on speed dial” still lands with anyone over 35, it’s sliding into vintage territory. My daughters are more apt to say "top of my playlist" or "in my favourites". Or honestly... just "my go-to". Simple, timeliness, no pop culture knowledge required.

🩷 What’s your favourite idiom right now? Hit reply and share it with me. Bonus points if it makes me laugh!