In today’s lesson, you’ll learn the “magic word” scientifically proven to reduce distractions by 64%—and up to 700%!
Video Lesson
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Time: 3:19
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Click full screen (lower right corner) to increase the size
Lesson Summary
The “magic word” to reduce distractions
What if I told that a single “magic word” could instantly reduce your distractions—and help you follow through on your convictions—by at least 64%? That just a single word could do this for you—and that several scientific studies proved it worked? Do you think this would make an instant and dramatic change in your life?
I believe it would.
Let’s take a look at the proof so you can see for yourself.
In a study for the Journal of Consumer Research, Vanessa Patrick and Henrik Hagtvedt measured the power of self-talk and how it affected distractions and follow-through.
Let’s review two of their experiments, and see how changing a single word produced tremendous results.
In the first experiment, 30 women attended a seminar on long-term health goals. After the seminar, researchers asked the women to join a program that helped them adopt a new health strategy (e.g. stop eating 12 cupcakes in a single sitting) by changing their self-talk—and then report how well that strategy worked for them.
The 30 women were divided into 3 separate groups:
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Group A (“I can’t”): would say something like, “I can’t eat cupcakes because I’m on a diet.”
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Group B (“I don’t”): would say something like, “I don’t eat cupcakes because I’m on a diet.”
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Group C (“No”): adopted a “Just Say No” strategy.
The results?
Pause this video to take a moment to think about which group you think was most effective, and why?
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Group A: “I can’t” 1/10 completed the program
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Group B: “I don’t” 8/10 completed the program
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Group C: “No” 3/10 completed the program
Let that sink in.
By substituting a single word—don’t for can’t—people were eight times more likely to succeed.
In the second experiment, 120 undergraduates were asked to use either “I can’t” or “I don’t” when faced with temptation. Shortly after, the subjects were offered a granola bar versus a chocolate candy bar.
The results?
The “I don’t” group chose the healthy snack 64% more often than the “I can’t” group.
Bottom line: Use “I don’t”
The next time you’re faced with temptation—whether it’s a distraction or otherwise—tell yourself “I don’t” instead of “I can’t.”
Here are a few examples:
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I don’t eat unhealthy snacks.
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I don’t work after 5 p.m.
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I don’t check email more than three times a day.
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I don’t sacrifice my dreams for others’ petty requests.
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I don’t talk about people behind their back.
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