Back for another snack pack of brain facts? You have now entered the Sugar Cereal universe. Chomp at your own risk.
This week, we're starting with...the start. We’ll dig into why your first bite (or experience) means everything.
Let’s head down to chow town. 🥣
frame it with flavor
Ever bite into a chocolate chip cookie…only to find out it's full of raisins? 😵💫 If so, you may be entitled to compensation.
While you’re putting together that cookie fraud lawsuit, you might as well read up on some behavioral science. Your first bite (or your initial experience of anything) really matters.
According to what’s known as the primacy effect, your brain puts most of its weight onto the first piece of information it receives. That could be the start of a meal, a first date with someone, or the opening presentation of your annual sales meeting.
Foodie researchers discovered that the first bite of a meal shapes your overall rating of it. It sets your expectations for sweetness, saltiness, and texture. It even influences how satisfying the rest of the dining experience feels.
Say you’re served your favorite dessert at the end. Even if it’s perfect, if your starting apps were bland, that sweet treat might not taste so sweet. 😒
Because your brain loves shortcuts, it uses early cues to set expectations. Then, it filters anything that comes afterwards to match. So, if your first bite’s weird, your brain will scan for more weirdness.
Instead of treating every single bite of a meal with the same hyper-attention as the first, your brain coasts on that initial impression. Lazy? Yes. But it is efficient.
Now that you’re full on the first bite rule, let’s check out how it shows up off the plate. Here’s how to put this knowledge to good use:
🎤 Running a meeting or giving a talk?
Start off with a bang and ditch the bland, unseasoned agenda run-through. Even just a quick 30-second joke or story helps get things off to an energetic start (and keeps people engaged).
🤝 Onboarding a new team member?
Make their first week intentional, warm, and organized. If you want them to stay for the long-haul, make sure you start them off with a great first impression. Bad experiences at the beginning will color their career.
🧠 Trying a new habit (or breaking an old one)?
Make the first step feel good or easy. That initial “bite” frames your whole experience. If you enjoy the start of the journey, you’re more likely to see it through to the end.
Whether you’re serving up entrées, elevator pitches, or Monday morning meetings, remember: what comes first frames what follows.
So give that first bite a little extra thought. Because when you get the start right, everything after it just tastes better.
Like what you see? Don’t miss the next issue! 👇
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