When I was a kid, St. Patrick’s Day held immense importance to me.  I went to a small school and there must have been a high density of Irish families in the area because every year on March 17^th the school turned into a green sugary Disneyland.

Not only did this reward fill me with anticipation for the big day, the green sprinkles on cinnamon rolls also made their impression on my little brain.  Knowing that St. Patrick’s Day always arrived laden with sugar, I was willing to hear more about it.

Whatever the prize or reward is, it is generally true that we are more willing to listen or hear what you have to say when we believe an incentive is in it for us.

St. Patrick’s Day was an especially sticky holiday as a kid because there wasn’t just a history behind the Gold chocolate coins—there was a whole mystery wrapped up in it.

How to find the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow?  Was it full of chocolate coins? Are leprechauns real?  Have you ever found a four-leaf clover? And so on.  Read more »