Why no one reads your email anymore. "Cognitive Budgeting" and how to pitch, sell and make people listen.

Change Wired

Ever wonder why your brilliant emails go unread or your fantastic ideas seem to fall on deaf ears?

The answer lies in cognitive budgeting - the brain's ruthless allocation of its limited energy resources.
Your brain is remarkably hungry, consuming over 20% of your daily energy despite being just 5% of your body weight. As we're bombarded with more information than ever before, our brains have become increasingly selective about what deserves attention. Like picky eaters at a buffet, we carefully choose where to spend our precious cognitive resources.
This episode dives into the fascinating science behind why people ignore most messages and how to ensure yours gets through.

I share practical insights on matching your communication to your audience's current interests and needs. You'll discover why timing is everything, why being clear beats being clever, and how to tailor your detail level to different types of audiences. Whether you're trying to improve your marketing emails, design better products and services, or simply get your family to listen to your ideas, understanding cognitive budgeting will transform your approach.
By respecting people's cognitive limitations and speaking to their actual interests, you dramatically increase your chances of not just being heard but actually influencing behavior.
Ready to make people actually pay attention to what you have to say?

Listen now, and share with someone who needs these insights.

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Brought to you by Angela Shurina

Behavior-First Change Leadership & Culture Transformation Consultant
EXECUTIVE & OPTIMAL PERFORMANCE COACH

Chapters

1. Introduction to Cognitive Budgeting (00:00:00)

2. The Brain as a Hungry Machine (00:02:13)

3. Why People Won't Pay Attention (00:05:14)

4. Cognitive Resources and Personal Interests (00:09:24)

5. Right Message, Right Audience, Right Time (00:14:13)

6. Key Takeaways and Next Episode Preview (00:18:32)