The Dopamine Effect: Why Small Moments Matter

You might not believe it, but I don’t really love a ton of attention in individual spaces. Get me on a stage, great. Get me in front of a camera, awesome. But I’m kind of an introvert.

This past weekend was a pretty big deal for me—I was officially given the CSP designation by the National Speakers Association! For those who don’t know, CSP stands for Certified Speaking Professional, and it’s not an easy title to earn. Only 17% of professional speakers hold this designation, so I’m pretty pumped to have those letters behind my name now. It’s recognized internationally, which adds to the cool factor.

During the four-day conference where I received my CSP, there was this fun tradition where everyone who saw you wearing your CSP medallion would stop to say congratulations. You’re encouraged to wear it everywhere—even on the plane home! It was a constant stream of recognition, and I realized that what they were doing was exactly what I teach my clients: creating a “Disney Dopamine Effect.”

You see, Disney is a master at making you feel special. They have this button program where you can get a personalized button if it’s your birthday, anniversary, first visit, or any other special occasion. Throughout the day, Disney cast members will stop and wish you well. It’s like getting a hit of dopamine every time someone acknowledges you—just like the rush you get when your social media post racks up likes.

I was reminded of this when Shannon and I went to Disney a couple of years ago. She’s not a big Disney fan and isn’t one for attention, but it was her birthday, so we got her one of those buttons. By the end of the day, she had gotten so used to people saying “Happy Birthday” that the next day, when fewer people were acknowledging her, she actually noticed and missed it! Even someone who doesn’t crave attention can get hooked on that dopamine hit.

So, what’s the takeaway for your business? Just like Disney or the CSP conference, you can create these dopamine moments for your clients or patients. Imagine if every first-time visitor to your office was given a button with their name on it, and every team member they encountered gave them a warm welcome or congratulations. It’s a simple way to make people feel special and increase their connection to your practice.

When people feel good, they want to come back. It’s that simple. So whether it’s celebrating a patient’s decision to start treatment with a round of applause or just making a big deal out of a first-time visitor, these little moments of recognition can have a huge impact!

And honestly, as someone who doesn’t love a lot of attention in day-to-day life (yes, really!), even I found myself getting a bit hooked on that CSP recognition. So, if you see me around town with my medallion on, feel free to give me a nod—I’m still riding that dopamine high!

Have a great week, and think about how you can create those dopamine hits in your own business!

Proactive, Productive and Profitable,

Dino Watt, CSP (Certified Speaking Professional)