Sunday, May 24, 2015

The power of "because"

If you want to become rich you have too become persuasive.


To get other people to do what you want and sound credible? Use the word "because"
One of the best ways to get other people to do what you want them to? And to sound credible? Use the word "because. In 1998 Ellen Langer (a psychologist at Harvard) completed a study on "because" asking people to cut in line to the copy machine. Learn the power of "because" and
if you use it right you will become rich.
Langer tested 3 different ways of asking people to let her cut ahead. Here’s what she found:
Way 1: Excuse me, I have 5 pages. May I use the Xerox machine?
•Result: 60% said YES.
Way 2: Excuse me, I have 5 pages. May I use the Xerox machine because I’m in a rush?
•Result: 94% said YES.
Adding the magic word because, immediately boosted the effectiveness of her request by a remarkable amount.
Way 3: Excuse me, I have 5 pages. May I use the Xerox machine because I have to make some copies?
•Result: 93% said YES.
The word because is so powerful that it didn't even matter if the reasons provided were compelling.
I recently conducted my own little modern day Xerox study. I sent out 2 emails, asking people to respond to a simple question.
E-mail 1:  Please respond.
E-mail 2: Please respond, because I need an answer. 
•Result: Email #2 got double the response!
So, if you want to be rich: be specific in your assertions -- many people will let you get ahead if you just ask. Then say that magic word because -- a larger majority are likely to say yes.
Because people want reasons for doing what they are doing, persuasive people are able to jump ahead and get rich. Almost any reason will do.


--

Tim

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