The Area Code Weight Loss Method
Question 1: What is the lowest number for an area code?
Question 2: Why do dumb ideas often work to help you reach your goals?
Since we’re in February and according to Jon Acuff, 92% of you have dropped your New Year's Resolutions, I thought this story will help you get back on track.
Reality checks aren’t always very fun.? When my wife and I got back from a friend's wedding when my wife was pregnant with our first and someone showed us a picture from that event.? Two things were very apparent.? One, I’d be a father in the not-too-distant future.? Two, thanks to a newfound discovery of chicken tenders and sweet tea, it looked like I was ‘showing’ just as much as my wife was.
I can’t remember who started it, but my buddy Veer (who wants me to point out that he has the same name as Raj’s dad on The Big Bang Theory) came up with this idea of the “Area Code Weight Loss Method.”
Do you have that person in your office who is overly proud of knowing the area code for everything and insists on bringing it up whenever possible?? You can be at a store and the cashier will say, “That’ll be 5.04 please.” Then the ACN (area code nerd) will say, “You know, 504 is New Orleans, of course, but if you get too far out of the city you wander into 985 territory.”??
So I’m that guy, and Veer picked up on it, and we decided to use that to our advantage to get into shape.
To answer the first question above, 201 is the lowest number for an area code, based in New Jersey, and featuring cities like Jersey City, Union City, and my favorite, Hoboken.? I’d gained 22 pounds since getting married and had arrived at 205.? Off-handedly, I said, “205.? I’m stuck in Birmingham.”? I wanted to get under 200, which meant I had to get under 201, which led to the mantra of “I’ve got to get out of Jersey!”???
Veer set his own goals and I dutifully filled him in on what area codes he was getting out of as he lost weight. I had a lot of football player friends that I shared this with that were also newer dads and we’d celebrate if they got out of Ft. Wayne (260) or Mobile (251).? The countdown to get out of the area codes really got serious once you started getting out of big cities like Dallas (214), LA (213), and NY (212).? Get to DC (202) and you’re almost there.? You’re almost out of Jersey.
Finally, you’d get below 201, kiss Hoboken, NJ goodbye, and you’re free!?
And it's not just something like this that works. Remember the ice bucket challenge?
Person 1: "We should give to charity."
Person 2: "Maybe."
Person 3: "We should dump ice on our heads and then give to charity."
Person 1, 2, and a gazillion more. "YES!"
So why do "dumb ideas" work?
I am a big fan of the books by Chip Heath and Dan Heath.? The first one I read was Made To Stick. In it, they explain that the best ideas have several of these six characteristics.
Why did The Area Code Weight Loss Method work?
Another key to success was sharing your story with others.? Social media was still kind of new so we’d actually share our successes with each other by doing archaic things like seeing each other in-person or talking on the phone.?
So whether you’re launching a new product line or re-launching your attempt to lose weight this year, make sure to use this simple framework to help your ideas stick, and gather a community to help you make it stick. Let's all get out of Jersey together!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Brian Lord is the President of?Premiere Speakers Bureau?and the host of the?Beyond Speaking Podcast.?A 28-year speaking and entertainment industry veteran who started his first agency in his dorm room, Brian has done everything from running a non-profit and writing a comic strip to coaching youth softball and competing for TeamUSA in the duathlon age group world championships in Romania in 2022.?He and his wife Krista enjoy raising their four kids outside of Nashville.
USA Representative/Sar-El Tours & Conferences Israel
2 年Being a native New Jerseyan, I have a few things to say.. First, I resent the idea that you ever wanted to “get out of Jersey” ?? Second, if you happen to like the city name Hoboken, you may like Ho-Ho-Kus even more! Yes, that’s the actual name of a town near where I grew up (and if you’re wondering how it’s pronounced, the stress is on the 2nd “Ho” ??). And lastly, while I’m at it.. I just want to mention that I don’t know a single New Jerseyan who has ever said that they’re from “New Joysie” — Just for the record! ?? Another fun blog post, Brian.. you have such a great gift of communication.. keep these coming! ????
GM and Operations Business Coach helping JOB SHOP OWNERS | Install frameworks that create focus, get your team aligned, & eliminate chaos | Free Business Review Link ??
2 年What a great way to "make it stick," Brian! Thanks for sharing!
Build Your Best Team Ever | Keynote Speaker | Bestselling Author | Organizational Psychologist
2 年Love this. One of the things I talked about often is that high-performing teams share rituals and mantras that might look/sound silly…but are a powerful way of bonding together over shared, inside information. Area “code words” (pun intended) turned into to something that create a unique and lasting bond with that group of friends. Also…anytime we’re in New Jersey we should probably seek to get out of it.
Global Keynote Speaker - Best-Selling Author & Consultant - Ranked in the Top 5 in the World as an Expert in Change Management. Over 2 Million People have benefitted from his powerful, practical, compelling programs.
2 年Loved the post, Brian. Your article on weight loss reminded me of a dear friend of mine who had played football for the Dallas Cowboys. After 30 years of marriage he told his wife that he weighed the same that he did during his playing days in the NFL. He was very proud of that fact until his wife said ... "That's nice honey. But that weight is now in a lot of different places." OUCH!