The Power of Moments: Why Certain Experiences Have Extraordinary Impact

Product Information

This book explores ways to make more memorable moments. It suggests that if we pay attention and work creatively, we have the power to turn ordinary occasions into extraordinary ones. It begins by outlining the elements of a “defining moment” with the following characteristics which happen to spell the mnemonic, "EPIC". • Elevate: Create moments that rise above the everyday. In their research, Chip & Dan Heath have found that defining moments are created from one or more of the following four elements:

Do you have one of those moments in your life that had a disproportionate impact on your life? This book about how to create those moments for yourself and others. The Heath brothers, authors of Decisive, have done it again—what an absolute pleasure. Especially the first two chapters on elevating experiences and creating moments of insight were absolutely excellent. Courage is contagious; our moments of action can be a defining moment for others. Chapter 10: Create Shared Meaning To identify milestones, ask yourself: What’s inherently motivating? What would be worth celebrating that might only take a few weeks or months of work? What’s a hidden accomplishment that is worth surfacing and celebrating? When you understand the ultimate contribution you’re making, it allows you to transcend the task list. Chapter 11: Deepen Ties To create moments of connection, we can bring people together for a synchronizing moment. We can invite them to share in a purposeful struggle. The final strategy centers on connecting them to a larger sense of meaning.Connection: Forge transformational alliances among people.Through the use of storytelling and science the book then proceeds to illustrate ways of instilling these elements into moments, both at the personal level and within the business environment. Mentorship in two sentences: “I have high expectations for you and I know you can meet them. So try this new challenge and if you fail, I’ll help you recover.” In this chapter is also introduced the idea of “Responsiveness” and how it deepens relationships. There are three facets to this: (1) Mutual understanding, (2) Validation, and (3) Caring. A heart-breaking story in this sub-chapter tells us about a school in bad shape. For parent-teacher conferences, only 11% of parents attended. There was no investment from the parents, because they felt no investment from the school. There was little investment from the school, because they felt no investment from the parents. A vicious cycle. Under new management, the school went to each home and asked them questions that leverage these principles of responsiveness: What future do you see for your child? How do you think the school should approve? This is hardly new, but a good mental model for how to phrase the questions of importance. Parent-teacher conference attendance went up to 73%. While human lives are endlessly variable, our most memorable positive moments are dominated by four elements: elevation, insight, pride, and connection. If we embrace these elements, we can conjure more moments that matter. What if a teacher could design a lesson that he knew his students would remember twenty years later? What if a manager knew how to create an experience that would delight customers? What if you had a better sense of how to create memories that matter for your children?

Expecting our mentees to stretch requires us to overcome our natural instinct to protect the people we care about from risk. To insulate them.

Other Books by Chip & Dan Heath

Across the studies, which spanned 46 years, only one factor was cited every time as among the top two motivators: “full appreciation of work done.” When you create shared meaning through responsiveness, you develop a purpose. This is as close as you get to a panacea when it comes to productivity. It’s also important to note that this chapter focuses a lot on how ties are deepened through adversity. If you go through something with a group of people, you’ll feel closer to them. The harder it is, the deeper the ties with them will be.