at our storytelling night on Friday, i presented on the power of a nudge, the idea that small comments can shift someone’s life trajectory in dramatic ways. some of my own biggest life changes began as nudges from friends. 🦋
in behavioural economics, nudge theory describes how subtle design choices influence behaviour, like putting fruit at eye level to encourage healthy eating.
but outside policy, nudges happen between people all the time. some of my own turning points started as tiny nudges:
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@mahlenr saying “you should tweet more” → led to my relationship and so many new friends, getting paid to tweet
— Marlene saying “you should write essays” → inspired me to try writing essays and began my Substack journey, which has been so meaningful and led me to quit my other full time job
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@manyorbits asking “have you been writing lately?” → rekindled my creative practice after I lost it
i used to think i was hyper-independent and entirely self-directed. now I see being influenced as a kind of openness, a willingness to be moved. being nudgable to me means being receptive to life’s invitations.
what’s magical is we can all offer these micro-nudges to others. a single sincere sentence can open a new timeline for someone.
i often underestimate how much power lives in everyday conversation, to help someone imagine a new future, or take a step they weren’t sure they could.
stay open to the nudges that find you, and don’t forget to pass them on 🦋