Messages that Motivate
If you saw an image of yourself as an older person would you change your behavior and start saving more for your retirement now?
A research study was done showing people an age-morphed photo of themselves at a retirement age, 65. The study found that when individuals were presented with an older version of their likeness their attitudes change. After seeing an older image of themselves, they were more likely to put a savings plan in place today for tomorrow’s retirement. This potential change in behavior is pretty powerful. So, what makes this work? How could this type of effect be used in a learning environment?
Breaking apart the experiment.
What makes these altered photos such a powerful motivator? The images are….
1) Personal – each person is confronted with their own older self. The presentation is not generalized.
2) Emotional – seeing ourselves age, we are reminded of our own mortality.
3) Concrete – the use of a photographic image is breaks through some of the “intellectual” reasons to save. Getting older, an abstraction to the young, becomes (at least for the moment) a tangible reality.
How can you use these techniques to motivate?
The challenge when presenting ideas is to capture people’s attention, to get them involved in the message, and act on a defined goal. Making sure your design has a personal element, emotional appeal, and is concrete increases the effectiveness of your message.
After sketching out your ideas, go back and look for ways to heighten these three elements. For example, in a scenario I planned learners had three possible choices. My first draft was very simple. “correct” and “incorrect” feedback was provided. To create more emotional impact I scratched the immediate (rather boring) feedback. I added additional material showing the results of a the poor choices. The results of incorrect choices were painful – creating more emotional appeal.
How about you? When you review one of your projects, are you able to think of ways to make your message more concrete, personal, or emotional? How?
The Future of Books
The Future of the Book. from IDEO on Vimeo.
What will books of the future look like? How will we store them? Will there still be libraries? How “social” will books become? As an avid reader these are a few questions I have pondered. IDEO has provided a great visualization of books of the future.
Three eReader prototypes:
The Debate and Opinion eReader:
Here an informational layer(s) is envisioned to future books that feature ongoing discussions, fact check and current media links as well as historical debate time lines and visualization of the arguments. This type of reader would be a great support of developing critical thinking skills.
Professional Development eReader, supporting learning in the organization and sharing of industry trends:
Your reader connects you to colleagues in your organization to find popular reads, establish book clubs, reading lists for departments, project or the organization as a whole. I love the tag “no water cooler required” for the sharing experience. If enough people by the book it is put in the organizational library available to all. As I’m watching this, I am thinking getAbstract had better be preparing for a business model change. Of the three visions I found the Copeland the most compelling because I would love to share what I read with others. A professional community of interest seems ideal for this.
Interactive Narratives eReader:
Of the three prototypes this is the one closest to other future projections articles I’ve read. This prototype envisions reader participation being actively worked into the story. Examples would be readers communicating with characters or have to manipulate objects on the screen to unlock access to story related information. The concept here seems to be fiction that combines an almost gaming environment. But I can see a Brain Rules or Resonate type book being integrated easily into this type of format.
The Future:
In the move to eBooks it is exciting to see the increased interactivity between people and people and ideas envisioned. The direction we’re going will make the social and active part of reading more visible and facilitate more interpersonal connections. Good developers, learning and game designers will be needed to make these visions of eReaders become a reality. At this point my biggest fear (as a consumer) is the pace of technology. What will happen to books I purchase as the technology improves? Will I be able to easily access my eBooks and my notes on the readings as platforms change and consolidates? Lots to think about. Thanks to IDEO for the great visualization!
Related
Best Piece of Career Advice
Over the course of the past couple of years I’ve started to view my career differently. I’ve come to the conclusion, if you want your career to go somewhere you’ve got to set sail and be prepared to navigate your own course. Navigation without a map or prior experience is pretty fool hardy. In an attempt to make up for lost time I’ve asked a few people to please share with me what is the best piece of career advice they’ve ever received and what made it the best piece of advice. In no particular order are some of my gleanings, with names removed.
My best career advice came from _anonymous_. There were two things actually. First, finish your degree. Second, trust your instinct. Both basic, but I needed to hear it. I always second guess myself. This person really helped me with trusting and believing in my ability to manage others. As for the degree, it was always something I was very aware of. I’d even go as far as to say I was embarrassed by not completing it. _This person_ helped me to see that more than anything I needed to finish my degree for me, not because of what others may think of me.
Make sure that any new job that you’re considering is a good place to be from, ie, think at least two moves ahead.
The best career advice I’ve received has come from a number of people including my husband, co-workers, and friends. Whenever I’ve hesitated to apply for a position or to take on a challenge, the advice was, “What have you got to lose?” Like most people, I cringe at rejection. Knowing that there’s no real risk removes the roadblock of fear and propels me up the path of trying for something more.
The best advice I’ve learned from experience is that opportunity is hiding everywhere. We don’t know when our best efforts will garner the attention of those who are willing to help us. We must anticipate, work harder, and be prepared. Then we can use the other piece of advice. Reach out and try for new opportunities without fear.
My best advice, “Get a thick skin. Don’t take things personally.” I found myself in a situation where I was charged with establish new business processes. I spent a few difficult years struggling with the constant feedback. It was difficult to not be defensive. Eventually I learned you cannot take feedback personally. You also want to test the feedback. Some feedback is constructive and helpful to you and the work you do. Sometimes the feedback you receive can be off. Perhaps the person providing the feedback is unaware of all the variables that you’re managing. It is good to reflect on the feedback, but to also let go of feedback that isn’t helpful.
Always make sure you have your “got to go” money prepared. This allows you to leave a job on a moment’s notice if you encounter circumstances that are illegal, immoral, or uncomfortable for some other reason.
The best career advice I received sounds a little corny, but was given at a time when I needed encouragement to step past my doubts and apply for a new position. I was challenged to “spread my wings and fly.” This piece of advice struck a chord with me at the time. It made me question myself, “why should I hold back?” If you know your strengths, don’t let doubts creep into your thinking.
The second piece of advice was “intent and perception.” Being aware of what I say – my intent when communicating an idea or message versus the perception of the people who are receiving the message. This piece of advice has made me aware of the need to systematically check with others to see if their perception of what I communicated matches my intention. It’s a good reality check.
Don’t be afraid to have difficult conversations with people. Difficult conversations either about your own mistakes – or if you are supervising others, difficult conversations about mistakes others are making. Lots of people will shy away from these conversations. By being able to successfully address difficult topics you set yourself apart from the crowd. It distinguishes you. Ultimately, it can also lead to better work and working relationships.
“There are ways around that!” This comment broke through the story I was telling myself about the “insurmountable problem” blocking my career aspirations. I confess at the moment the comment was made to me, I didn’t comprehend what was meant by “ways around.” Our ensuing conversation made me realize that there are multiple ways to get around problem issues – in your career growth. Up to that point I’d looked at my career as something somewhat outside of my control. I started to see that I could take a greater measure of control. The comment also made me appreciate the value of having another person you can trust to provide perspective on a situation.
I’m thankful to everyone who shared with me (published or not). The conversations have been encouraging, inspiring and fun! More career advice welcome….