Have you heard the story of the woman who was assaulted in New York City many years ago? According to the story, she was badly beaten in a densely populated neighbourhood. Many people claimed to have heard her screams. Nobody did anything to help her. Nobody intervened. After the story had circulated, many people believed it was proof that modern society is becoming an uncaring, unfeeling, every-person-for-themselves nightmare.
So, why would so many people hear her suffering and not do anything to help? Well as Robert Cialdini points out in his book Influence, it was not that nobody cared or felt for her. That’s wasn’t the problem. The problem was that everyone thought someone else would do something to help.
When an emergency happens in a crowded environment, everyone assumes that:
- “Surely, someone will call for help.”
- “Surely, someone will dial 9-1-1.”
- “Surely, someone will intervene.”
As everyone is thinking: “Surely, someone…”, nobody actually does. Cialdini says that if you ever find yourself in a situation like that, you need to single out one individual. Point at them, look them in the eye, say their name if you know it and tell them to get help. Then that person will stop thinking: “Surely, someone…” and start thinking: “I’m the only one who can do this, I have to do it!”
The same also applies to your financial goals. If you’re thinking: “Surely, somebody…”, nothing will ever happen. Your dreams will keep screaming for help and nothing will happen.
It has to be you. It has to be now. Someday never comes.
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