I began writing a daily Haiku in November of 2020. The election had just occurred and results were not called. As with many, this created some anxiety. Moreover, I had just blown a 230 day Duolingo streak (trying to learn Spanish in hopes my pilgrimage to El Camino de Santiago would eventually happen). As consolation therapy, I began writing Haiku and posting to my social media. Topics ranged from the whimsical to political to the periodic table (I’m up to Aluminum). Recently I passed the 160 consecutive day milestone.
Meanwhile, I have been receiving pep-talk e-mails from AFSP (American Foundation for suicide prevention). These messages include ideas for encouraging folks to donate to my upcoming “Out of the Darkness” fundraiser. I decided to post that I would begin devoting my Haiku each day to a donor. It would begin retroactively to the five friends who had already given a donation.
Within one hour, I had five new donors. Three more donated the following morning. They keep coming. I am NOT a talented poet. Why the surge in donations? I believe that it is the novelty and curiosity factor. “What will he write about me?” they probably wonder.
The take-away for me is: it could be worth expanding our thinking as we try to encourage and influence desired behavior. It is not about manipulation; it is about having fun and making a difference for good.
By the way; the walk is coming up. If you want your own personal Haiku on LinkedIn… here you go.
https://afsp.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=donordrive.participant&participantID=2400828