The research, plainly
Laibson's hyperbolic discounting work formalized the tilt: value collapses steeply with delay, so present-me chronically outvotes future-me — undersaving, procrastinating, and skipping the gym on future-me's behalf.
The receipt: Laibson, 1997
What it means for events
The commitment your event wants lives in the future, where motivation is weakest. Shrink the distance: make the first step of the new behavior doable in the room, today — because 'next week' is where intentions go to be outvoted.
Where to run it
In-room activation
The first action happens before they leave: the message sent, the meeting booked, the tool installed — now, not Monday.
Offer design
Immediate small rewards for immediate steps; the distant big benefit can't compete unescorted.
Program pacing
Day-3 asks beat Day-14 asks — strike while the present still contains the event.
Seen in the wild
Related concepts
Now use it
Score your own event against principles like this one — or make the whole vocabulary official.
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