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Peak Motivation Window

Adam Fishman

Inspired by on Lenny's Podcast

Users are most motivated to jump through hoops during onboarding - and your toddler is most willing to cooperate in the exact moment they ask for something.

Adam Fishman knows that onboarding is when users are most motivated.

'It's probably the most motivated that someone is going to be about your product since they're typically starting their onboarding journey with you at a time where they're like, "I need this thing really badly." And so they're really motivated. It's an opportunity for you to put some friction in place and learn a lot about them because they will knock down doors to get to your product.'

Parenting translation: when your kid wants something badly, they'll do anything for it. That's your onboarding window.

'Can I have a cookie?' Now you can extract value. 'Sure - after you put your shoes in the basket.' They'll sprint to do it.

Five minutes later? The motivation window has closed. The cookie is forgotten. The shoes are still in the hallway.

Recognize peak motivation when you see it. That's when you can introduce friction - chores, cleanup, putting on clothes - because they'll knock down doors to get what they want.

Once the moment passes, good luck.

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PM Theme: Timing and user motivation

Parenting Theme: Strategic leverage

Quotes that inspired this tip
It's also probably the most motivated that someone is going to be about your product since they're typically starting their onboarding journey with you at a time where they're like, 'I need this thing really badly.' And so they're really motivated, right? And so it's an opportunity for you to put some friction in place and learn a lot about them because they will knock down doors to get to your product.Adam Fishman · 00:37:17
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