MaximizeYourInfluence.com

Discover the Shocking Truth: How Multitasking is Sabotaging Your Influence and Crushing Your Productivity

Imagine this: You're juggling emails, a Zoom call, and that "quick" social media scroll—all while convincing yourself you're a productivity powerhouse. But what if I told you this habit destroys your ability to influence and manage your time.

For years, we've been sold the lie that multitasking is the key to getting more done. But cutting-edge studies from 2023 to 2025 paint a starkly different picture: multitasking doesn't boost efficiency—it destroys it through "task-switching," where your brain bounces between tasks, racking up hidden cognitive costs like slower performance, more errors, and exhausting mental fatigue.

Think your brain is wired for parallel processing? Think again. Neuroscience reveals that we can only truly handle one complex task at a time; overloading the prefrontal cortex leads to poorer results across the board. A productivity analysis estimating that each task switch wastes anywhere from 10 minutes to a staggering 2 hours as your brain reorients itself.

Persuade With Power

Kurt Mortensen

Unlock the Power of Persuasion: Discover "The Elephant Persuasion Principle" Podcast!

Ever wondered how to influence people effortlessly, build unbreakable trust, and close deals like a pro? Imagine having a memory as sharp as an elephant's—never forgetting a name, a face, or a crucial detail that seals the connection. Recall like an elephant and watch your relationships soar!

Elephants aren't just massive; they're memory masters! With brains weighing a whopping 5 kg (11 lbs - they excel at recall for survival and social bonds. Think about Lakshmi, the elephant in India who, after years of abuse, retaliated against her tormentor in June 2024. It's a stark reminder: elephants remember pain, loyalty, and everything in between. Now, apply that to your life - remember names like an elephant and you'll persuade like never before!

Why is remembering names a game-changing people skill? It shows respect and genuine interest, sparking trust and rapport. In business, it supercharges networking and leadership. Socially, it cements friendships and nails first impressions. A 2016 Journal of Social Psychology study proves it: using someone's name boosts your warmth and competence, making you instantly more likable. It's not just polite; it's persuasive 101!

But what's happening in your brain? When you hear your name, your attention spikes (like "Great job, Sarah!"), the amygdala lights up with emotion, and the prefrontal cortex evaluates the feel-good factor. It personalizes interactions, validates feelings, and follows social norms that make folks like you more.

Here are two simple techniques:

1. Repeat and Use the Name Immediately: Say "Nice to meet you, Sarah!" and weave it in again: "So, Sarah, what's your story?" Repetition builds brain pathways, shifting names from your short-term memory to long-term recall. Example: At a networking bash, greet John with "John, awesome to connect - what's your passion, John?" Boom - name locked in!

2. Associate with a Visual Image: Link the name to a wild picture. For Rose, envision a Rose coming out of her ear. Your brain loves visuals, leveraging the hippocampus for recall.

Want more insights into recalling names, increasing recall and 4 other techniques to instantly connect to anyone. Tune into The Elephant Principle Of Persuasion Podcast. Whether you're in sales, leadership, or just want to ace social scenes, this podcast turns you into a persuasion powerhouse.

Persuade With Power

Kurt Mortensen

PS Influence University Special

More Info

Buy Now

Do You Know When It’s Time to Shut Up? Time To Seal The Deal?

Ever wonder why your presentation isn’t closing deals, even when you’re pouring your heart into explaining every feature of your product or service? The truth might sting: you’re probably talking too much.

Take Your Persuasion IQ

The Trap of Talking Too Much

When you’re trying to persuade someone—whether it’s a client, a colleague, or even a friend—it’s tempting to lay out every perk and plus. After all, shouldn’t highlighting all the amazing features seal the deal? Not quite. Research shows that 81% of persuaders talk more than necessary. Your audience isn’t buying because of your reasons; they’re buying for their reasons.

Bury them in details, and their eyes glaze over. Worse, you might accidentally highlight a feature they don’t care about—or one they see as a downside. If you’re spouting off every fact you know, you’re not persuading—you’re overwhelming. So, how do you avoid this trap?

Listen First, Present Later

The secret to effective persuasion is simple: shut up and listen. Your audience already knows what they want, so let them tell you. Instead of leading with a laundry list of features, ask questions to uncover their priorities. Are they looking for cost savings? Convenience? Status? Once you know what matters to them, focus your pitch on those points and nothing else. This approach saves time, builds trust, and keeps you from wasting energy on irrelevant details.

Here’s a practical tip you can use today: start your next conversation with open-ended questions like, “What’s most important to you in a [product/service]?” or “What challenges are you trying to solve?” Then, listen carefully. Their answers are your roadmap. Tailor your pitch to address their specific needs, and resist the urge to throw in extra “just in case” features. Less is more.

Two Moments You’re Talking Too Much

Join me for the Maximize Your Influence Podcast, and I will dive into the two critical moments where persuaders tend to overdo it:

During the Presentation: If you’re dominating the conversation, you’re missing vital information. Your audience is giving you clues about their needs, objections, and priorities— but you won’t hear them if you’re too busy talking. Practice active listening: pause after key points, ask follow-up questions, and let them steer the discussion.

At the Close: Knowing when your audience is ready to buy is crucial. If you keep pushing after they’re convinced, you risk annoying them or raising doubts. Look for verbal and nonverbal signals—like agreement or enthusiasm—and shift to confirming the decision rather than piling on more reasons to buy.

A Quick Strategy to Try Now

Here’s a simple framework to persuade without overwhelming:

Ask and Listen: Use questions to uncover their needs and priorities.

Focus and Deliver: Highlight only the benefits that align with their stated goals.

Pause and Check: After presenting, pause to gauge their reaction. Ask, “How does this fit with what you’re looking for?”

Close Concisely: Once they’re ready, summarize and confirm the next steps.

By talking less, you’ll actually say more.

Why You Need This Podcast

Join me for the Maximize Your Influence Podcast and you will discover how to decode buying signals to avoiding the “feature data dump” that kills deals, this episode is packed with actionable advice for anyone who wants to influence others effectively.

Persuade With Power

Kurt Mortensen

Influence University - Deal of the week