 Hello Friend, We're introducing a new email structure to get you looped in and on your way. Overview (an 8 second scan): • You're very, very busy Read the full story (a one minute, 20 second read): We all lead busy lives that just seem to get busier. How is that even possible? And it's not just a feeling -- a recent study estimated that we are making a whopping 35,000 decisions.1 Every. Single. Day. (My brain melted a bit just thinking about this.) Of course, that much busyness comes at a cost. According to Carlson School of Management professor, Kathleen Vohs,2 we have limited willpower, limited ability to make decisions on any given day. When we go beyond our capacity, we experience decision fatigue that leads to poor choices -- or even avoiding choices altogether. Sometimes, with disastrous results. Before you grab that paper bag and start breathing heavily into it, there's hope. You can minimize your decision load by creating shortcuts when presented with options, which preserves your precious willpower. For instance, when Dr. Vohs is offered 87,000 beverage options (and counting) at Starbucks, she only goes with one of two favorite options.3 You can create those same automatic responses when presented with standard options, thereby making a decision once -- and multiplying the decision savings over time. Say, for instance, putting your workout gear near your bed, so you can start your workout without thinking about it. We know you want to tackle everything you need to do in your day, plus stay on top of what's happening in our community and country. You also want to know what you can do to help. What can we at the DFC office do to help you with that? Well, hopefully, quite a bit. Our Director of Digital Engagement, Meshach4 Weber, is applying what he's learned while helping local non-profits to Fortune 50's simplify their messages and digital experiences -- all using cognitive sciences and good-old-fashioned storytelling. (Sounds fancy, but grandmas everywhere know this stuff, right?). As Dean says, "Everyone's Invited!" So, keeping you well informed and giving you options -- in order to empower you to act quickly and effortlessly -- flows out from that. The structure of this email is the very first example of ways we'll be making your life easier. If you're in a rush, scan the "Quickview" and take action -- or just know you're in the loop. Have more time on your hands? Read on and enjoy our (hopefully) engaging prose. You'll see innovations rolling in as we try new experiments to make your life easier. Thanks for your valuable time. Best regards, Richard Carlbom P.S. Did you find this new email format useful? Let us know by clicking yes or no below.
1 Sahakian & Labuzetta, 2013 |
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