EDM SAMPLE
Video Promotion + 2019 Kickstart
CONTEXT
Capitalizing that goal setting is the focus of most people at the start of the year, we decided to go against the norm and challenge the notion that goal setting, in fact, does not work for everyone. Taking cue from Tim Ferriss’ Ted Talk on a similar topic, this email aims to education the subscribers, engage their thinking, and promote the video content.
TARGET AUDIENCE
- Corporate leaders
- Business Owners
- Entrepreneurs
- Executives
EMAIL SUBJECT LINE
How to use Fear Setting (especially if Goal Setting doesn’t work for you)
CONTENT
Dear [Name],
As we welcome 2019, one agenda that people around your office may be talking about, is goal setting. Now, if you are amongst the 12% of the world who set goals and achieve them, and is what others would refer to as “goal orientated”, then stop reading this now. Great job to you, and may 2019 be your best year yet!
However, if you are like me, the rest of the 88%, who usually don’t achieve the new year resolutions we set out, then let me share with you an alternative method.
Psst! If you’re the 12% but believes your team is in the 88%, today’s tip may be helpful for you to coach them too.
You see, humans are motivated either by pain or pleasure. Goal setting is very linked to pleasure, so if you are personally not motivated by joy of achievement, then goal setting probably won’t work for you.
But then, you may look back at some of those goals that you’ve achieved, whether it was eating healthier, waking up early in the morning to get some work done, or being more patient around your subordinates, and you may argue that goal-setting did work.
Yes, because they were tied to fears. Think about it: was is the death or failing health of a loved one, or not being able to meet your deadlines, or having your team leave you due to your leadership style, that ultimately drove you to achieve the goals?
That’s because the majority of the world’s population is driven by pain. Basically, that’s saying that if something is not painful enough for us to change, we will not change.
Hence, let’s look at the steps to an alternative method of goal setting, which 3-time NYT best selling author (and my personal hero) Tim Ferriss called Fear Setting.
If you got the 13 and a half minutes, just straight in into his TED talk
Or, let me highlight the three main steps for you (but seriously, bookmark the video and watch it later)
Step 1: What if !…?
Let’s start with three mini but crucial steps, to help you outline your fear, and the key here is to help you properly lay out the stakes, how to avoid them, and how to fix them. It has three columns – Define, Prevent, Repair.
So let’s say my example is asking for a promotion at work. Under each column:
Define: I could get rejected and feel humiliated.
Prevent: I can prepare a proper pitch before meeting my boss, outlining my achievements and ambitions for the job.
Repair: I can ask my boss for feedback on what I can do to earn the promotion.
This is just one example, and if you are motivated by fear as I am, you probably have a long list to fill in the Define column. For every item in that column, just fill in the corresponding Prevents and Repairs.
Step 2: What might be the benefits of an attempt or a partial success?
Now that we have defined our fear in step 1, let’s be realistic and ask ourselves, what the biggest gain we can get, just for making the attempt. In the example above, just by attempting to ask for the promotion via a proper pitch, I would have learned how to better craft presentations, which will be useful for my other endeavors. Plus, my boss will know that I am keen to rise up to the challenge, and would probably be the first in mind when he or she is looking for succession planning.
Step 3: What’s the Cost of Inaction?
Ah, now we’re back to pain! In this step, we appeal to our natural ability to imagine the worst scenarios in any given situation. However, the situation is “what if I don’t change”, and how it will affect me in 6 months, 1 year and 3 years.
For my example, it will be like:
1. I will never be able to afford my dream house.
2. My girlfriend may leave me for not being ambitious enough.
3. I will not be able to continue paying for my parents’ medical bills.
There you have it! You’ve painted a clear, specific, terrifying picture of your fears. With that in your hands, you will now be propelled into action, moving you towards your goals in 2019 and beyond.
Oh yeah. Happy holidays, happy new year, and seriously, may your 2019 be so awesome that it’s gonna make 2018 look bad. 🙂
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