Are we getting lazier?

Are we as humans getting less committed or are we just ruled by automations that we become subconsciously more lazy?

This has very little to do with dance. But it crosses over to those of us who run dance studios.

I was speaking to a teacher the other day and she was worried that only x amount of students had signed up to and replied to their upcoming exam invitation.

I asked how many times she’d sent it or followed up? And the answer was ‘I’ve sent it once, the original email is all that was sent’

Now, okay, we shouldn’t have to constantly chase or remind people of special things which are unique to their child but there are some factors to consider here.

As a society we are used to receiving reminders.

I’m going to give you two examples.

• I book tickets to the theatre, I get the original booking receipt, 2 weeks before I get a ‘we can’t wait to see you’ reminder, seven days before ‘I get a 1 week to go email’, 24 hours before I get a FAQ email as well as a text message with my e-tickets. That event is at the forefront of my mind!

• A message gets sent from nursery. I get the notification on the app, I get a text message to tell me there’s a message, I get an email copy of the message, there’s a copy of it in her book bag and Sam will also recieve a message.

The other thing that needs considering is timing.

When was the exam email sent? Friday at 8pm. Some people are out on a Friday, they maybe opened it, said to themselves I’ll do that tomorrow and forgot. That could have then been caught up in a pile of marketting junk in the email and accidentally deleted. With no follow up in suitable ‘office’ or actionable hours then the likelihood of replies is going to be less.

I wouldn’t class myself as lazy, or uncommitted to the clubs that my child does, but I am definitely accustomed to numerous reminders. And subconsciously these are what make me action thug a quicker and more organised.

I’m pretty sure any buisness coach will teach you a follow through funnel with automation. I’d also consider doing that kind of timeline with your other admin. These timelines will also eradicate the last minute pushes or last minute sign ups to events that you thought you needed to cancel!