A few years ago, a ground-breaking book surfaced for business owners, event planners, teachers, leaders, parents, and…well everybody! It was called the Power of Moments, by Chip and Dan Heath. In their book, the Heath brothers lay out a recipe for creating meaningful moments in people’s lives. They researched what factors are behind some of the most memorable events that exist for people and why.
Here is their recipe for meaningful moments and a few ideas on how you can spin this emotional recipe into some Halloween fun.
Meaningful Moments include:
Elevation: Defining moments rise above the everyday. They provoke not just transient happiness, like laughing at a friend’s joke, but memorable delight. Moments of elevation transcend the normal course of events; they are literally extraordinary.
Halloween Spin: Go ahead! Hire that DJ, contact a Mixologist, and rent the fireworks for your all-out Halloween extravaganza! These added details create moments of elevation that your guests are sure to remember.
Insight: Defining moments rewire our understanding of ourselves or the world. In a few seconds or minutes, we realize something that might influence our lives for decades.
Halloween Spin: Take time for a special toast to the memories you’re creating with the people you love. Even at Halloween, people need to remember that life is precious.
Pride: Defining moments capture us at our best–moments of achievement, moments of courage.
Halloween Spin: Costume contest! You have to have one. Be sure to create, creative, thoughtful awards to honor your guests and reward all the effort they put into their spooky designs.
Connection: Defining moments are social: weddings, graduations, baptisms, vacations, work triumphs, bar and bat mitzvahs, speeches, and sporting events. These moments are strengthened because we share them with others.
Halloween Spin: Consider the purpose of your gathering and invite the people who can set the right tone for the evening. Consider inviting old friends to meet new friends. Or have the neighbors over for a Halloween-themed block party. Maybe you want a mixture of your closest friends and family – people you can really unwind with. If you’re planning a corporate event, a party for a client, or a party at your local church or school, make sure you consider the people FIRST. Think about what it will take to help them feel comfortable and relaxed together so that you can achieve your purpose.
This book inspires the idea that human beings are changed for the better and more connected when they experience special moments together. Grab the book and have a Happy Halloween!
