“Day in the Life” Videos: Bringing the Future State to Life

In any change project, communication and learning are where the human connection happens. Yet even the best-crafted memos, presentations, or FAQs often fail to help people see what change means for them. 

That’s where a “Day in the Life” video becomes a powerful asset in a change plan. It bridges the gap between information and understanding — turning abstract concepts into something tangible, relatable, and real. 

What Is a “Day in the Life” Video? 

A “Day in the Life” video shows what the Future State looks like for the Targets (those directly impacted by the change) by walking through a typical day once the change has been implemented. 

It doesn’t just tell people what’s changing; it shows them how their work, interactions, and tools will look and feel in practice. 

Imagine a short, realistic video following someone in a specific role: 

• How they start their day under the new process or system 

• What tools or resources they use 

• How they interact with others differently 

• Where the change makes things faster, easier, or more efficient 

The result: a relatable, visual story that replaces uncertainty with clarity. 

Why It’s So Valuable in a Change Plan 

In the Managed Change™ Methodology, every activity in the plan should serve one purpose: reducing risk — specifically, the risks that people won’t understand, accept, or adopt the change. 

“Day in the Life” videos do that in four powerful ways: 

1. They reduce ambiguity. 
   People fear what they can’t see. These videos make the unknown visible, providing a safe, clear picture of the Future State. 

2. They increase confidence and readiness. 
   By seeing someone successfully navigate the new way of working, Targets can visualize themselves doing it — activating the brain’s mirror neurons, which help people learn by observing others. 

3. They help leaders communicate more effectively. 
   Sponsors and Change Practitioners can use these videos in presentations, meetings, and learning sessions to create consistent, emotionally engaging messages about the change. 

4. They reinforce the “What’s In It For Me” factor. 
   When people can see benefits that matter to them — less frustration, fewer steps, faster collaboration — they shift from resistance to curiosity. 

The Theory Behind Why It Works 

Neuroscience helps explain why these videos are so powerful: 

• Visualization reduces perceived threat. The amygdala — our brain’s threat detector — calms when we can picture what’s ahead instead of imagining the worst. 

• Storytelling activates empathy. When people watch someone “like them” succeed, their brain releases oxytocin, a chemical linked to trust and openness. 

• Mirror neurons support learning. Observing a behavior activates the same neural pathways as performing it, improving recall and confidence. 

• Emotion improves memory. When a message connects emotionally — hope, relief, pride — it sticks longer than a slide deck ever could. 

From a change-management perspective, “Day in the Life” videos transform information into felt experience — one of the most effective ways to move people toward adoption. 

Choosing the Right Approach 

Not every “Day in the Life” video should look or sound the same. 
Tone matters — and the style you choose should match the nature of the change, the culture of the organization, and the emotional state of your Targets. 

Here are the most common approaches and when to use them: 

1️⃣ Straightforward / Realistic 

• What it is: A clear, factual walk-through of a typical workday in the Future State. 

• Best for: System implementations, process changes, or compliance-driven shifts. 

• Why it works: Reduces uncertainty by focusing on clarity and accuracy. 

• Watch-out: Avoid making it dry — add a human element (a voiceover, a peer narrator) to keep it relatable. 

2️⃣ Comedic / Lighthearted 

• What it is: A playful take that exaggerates old pain points or shows humorous missteps in the Current State. 

• Best for: Teams experiencing “change fatigue” or when the culture values humor and informality. 

• Why it works: Laughter lowers resistance and helps reframe frustration into optimism. 

• Watch-out: Humor must be empathetic, not mocking — the goal is connection, not entertainment. 

3️⃣ Dramatic / Storytelling 

• What it is: A narrative arc showing personal struggle, growth, and success through the change. 

• Best for: Transformational or identity-level changes (e.g., mergers, new leadership models, cultural shifts). 

• Why it works: Engages emotion and empathy, helping people feel the change’s purpose. 

• Watch-out: Keep it authentic — overproduction or forced emotion can backfire. 

4️⃣ Music Video / Rhythmic Montage 

• What it is: Fast-paced visuals set to upbeat music, highlighting the energy and momentum of the Future State. 

• Best for: Celebrating milestones, energizing teams post-implementation, or reinforcing pride in adoption. 

• Why it works: Creates emotional uplift and momentum, appealing to collective pride. 

• Watch-out: Works best as reinforcement, not introduction — Targets need context first. 

How to Create a “Day in the Life” Video 

You don’t need a Hollywood budget — just clarity, authenticity, and alignment with your change goals. 

1️⃣ Define the purpose. 
What specific risk are you trying to reduce? Confusion about the Future State? Anxiety about new tools? Lack of buy-in? Your purpose drives your script. 

2️⃣ Identify the right role(s) to feature. 
Choose someone directly impacted by the change — ideally a respected peer or early adopter others will relate to. 

3️⃣ Script the story. 
Keep it short (2–5 minutes). Outline the flow: 

• A quick look at “before” (Current State) 

• The moment the change occurs 

• A walk-through of the new process, system, or routine 

• The visible benefits (“Now I can complete this in half the time!”) 

4️⃣ Capture authentic emotion. 
Show real people, not just polished narration. A genuine “this made my day easier” moment is worth more than perfect cinematography. 

5️⃣ Test and refine. 
Preview with a small group of Targets or Change Practitioners. Ask: 

• Does this feel realistic? 

• Does it clarify what’s changing? 

• Does it make you more or less confident? 

Use their feedback to adjust tone, pacing, and visuals. 

Best Mediums and Formats 

The best format depends on your audience, resources, and communication channels. 

• Short-form video (2–5 minutes): Ideal for internal sites, emails, or meeting kick-offs. 

• Interactive e-learning modules: Embed the video within short learning bursts or simulations. 

• Town halls and all-hands meetings: Play the video as an opener to spark discussion. 

• Team huddles: Supervisors can use the video to facilitate conversation and check understanding. 

• Mobile-friendly clips: For field or frontline employees, distribute via mobile apps or quick links. 

The key: make it easy to access, easy to share, and easy to connect to people’s day-to-day reality. 

Final Thought 

A “Day in the Life” video isn’t just another communication deliverable — it’s a change enabler. 

When people can see what their world will look like in the Future State, they move from uncertainty to readiness. They begin to imagine their own success. 

And when that happens, the risks to adoption drop dramatically. 

 As we say in Managed Change™, clarity reduces resistance. 
A well-crafted “Day in the Life” video gives people that clarity — one story, one role, one real-world example at a time. 

👉 Ready to build your change toolkit? 
Join our next Managed Change™ Workshop or contact our team at change@lamarsh.com to learn how to design risk-reducing activities — like “Day in the Life” videos — that bring the Future State to life.