The Cost of Inaction

People generally don’t change unless the pain of remaining the same becomes very apparent or uncomfortable. Describing the cost of inaction is a great way to motivate someone to make a much-needed change in their life.

Examples:

• If someone wants to make $100,000 per year in their business but right now they're making $30,000 per year, then the "cost" of not figuring out a way to reach their goal is $70,000 per year.
• If someone is overweight and wants to lose 30 pounds, then the "cost" of not solving the problem is all the symptoms or consequences (internal or external) associated with being overweight, plus never experiencing the positive benefits of being fit, healthy, and full of energy.
• If someone wants to repair their marriage, then the "cost" of not solving the problem is the continued feelings of unhappiness, resentment, loneliness, sadness, etc, plus never being able to experience the pleasures of being in a healthy and loving marriage.

Here's a way to structure your message so that it highlights the cost of inaction:

• Start by talking about the current less-than-desirable state and how it feels to experience it. When possible, tell a personal story about how you experienced this in your own life.
• Then talk about the desired future state and what that could look or feel like.
• Then highlight the difference between the two states and tell the viewer how they can bridge the gap.

Script Starter: "I remember when I [experienced less-than-desirable situation, challenge, or circumstance]…

I would see people [experiencing/promising dream outcome] and it felt so far away from where I was [maybe even impossible to reach]…

But I realized that [staying in the current situation] was costing me [the life/outcome I knew deep down was possible for me]…

When I realized that [the cost of staying the same was so high], I decided to [find solution/implement process/take action]…

Life has never been the same since making that decision.

Now, I’m on a mission to help others like yourself learn how to [achieve dream outcome] without having to go through the [painful experiences or trial and error] that I did.”