When used in some circumstances, I don’t mind it so much. However, it’s so overused that it ends 70% of the sentences that I see in emails. “I need this fixed ASAP”, “Get me a new monitor ASAP”, “Stop ignoring my emails and phone calls ASAP” are all examples of instances where the very sight of those four letters drive me nuts.
People use ASAP to tell you that they take priority over everything else that you have scheduled. Well, last time I checked a mouse that needs to be cleaned out doesn’t even take priority over me re-tying my shoes let alone whatever I’m working on. What people don’t realize is that by using “ASAP”, I pretty much either ignore them for the moment or move them to the bottom of the pile. If something is a priority, it’s pretty easy to tell. If the CEO calls regarding something directly, that’s a priority. If a server is down, that’s a priority. Forgotten your password or username? Not a priority. Internet down? Priority. You changed the resolution on your monitor and don’t know how to change it back? Not a priority. Here’s an example of typical usage and an actual email I received today:
I am trying to setup a wireless connection to a laptop in the trailer here in ********. What is the Network key? Let me know ASAP!
I forgot, usually a exclamation point is added for extra ASAP-ness. These are usually the requests I get that end in an ASAP. The manager that sent this email works at a club where there are no authorized or company provided laptops. So what can he possibly be talking about? Maybe a personal laptop so he can surf the internet? Why is that a priority for me? Those are the kinds of emails that I don’t even assign to anyone, I just delete them. At least he used proper grammar and didn’t type in all caps.
