“Oooooohhhh … would ya look at that … now that’s what I call an opportunity.  Grrrrrrr … just imagine what you could do.”

The problem with this picture is that a lot of people only ever imagine … far fewer actually do something.  This is why I call them ‘opportunity voyeurs’.  They look.  They analyze.  The calculate.  They contemplate.  But they never step into the opportunity.

Recently, I gave a presentation to a crowd of 300+ people about online business and internet marketing.  In that presentation I revealed what I believe to be the most comprehensive and realistic formula for a successful long-term online business.

I wonder – out of 300+ – how many were just there as voyeurs?  If I were to get all scientific about this, I would describe the opportunity voyeur as being stuck in a state of pre-action – the “chronic contemplater”.  The person who is aware of the possibilities but who just can’t get over the line and take action.  We see this all the time in public health – people who know the consequences of smoking, or speeding, or alcohol abuse – people who contemplate changing their behaviour but who just can’t get over the line and take action.

So, this isn’t some cheap and nasty personal development BS – this is a real phenomenon experienced by real people, and it’s a real problem being contemplated by public health officials and researchers all over the world.

They are asking, “how do we get people to change their behaviour”?

And whether you are trying to give up a ‘bad’ habit or trying to start a ‘good’ habit – it’s the same stuff and involves people having to change their behaviour.

Human behaviour change has been an interest of mine for well over a decade.  It first started as a health care intervention when I was working in that area – how to get people to exercise, change their diet, change their posture etc.  Then my understanding of human behaviour change developed in a broader sense to encompass more than just illness prevention or treatment.  I saw that human behaviour change was also necessary for people to develop a positive self-concept, to achieve long-term goals – and yes – even to be happy or content.

I see these last things – positive self concept, achievement, happiness and contentment as completely legitimate and highly relevant public health goals – just as is reducing the incidence of smoking and drink driving accidents.

It can be perplexing as to why people don’t change their behaviour – especially when it is in their best interests to do so?

Why don’t they slow down on the high fat foods?

Why don’t they learn anger management?

Why don’t they give up smoking?

Why don’t they curb their spending habits and reduce their (bad non-tax deductible) debt?

Why don’t they budget?

Why don’t they invest?

Why don’t they start doing what they’ve been dreaming of doing for years?

These are the questions I asked my self more and more frequently as I consulted patients – who predominantly presented to me with pain problems but who also struggled with bigger life problems.  What I got to see after 10 years as a health professional was a common pattern in which people’s external everyday behaviour was not congruent with their internal desires, goals, and dreams.  They were sacrificing the opportunity to do what they really wanted to do … often for a far less rewarding behaviour like the daily grind of a job that they didn’t like, that didn’t inspire them, and that often involved personal conflict with other equally unsatisfied employees.

Of course, not everyone is like this – but there is a large group of people who are.

This is the pattern of hebaviour.  They read books about change – but never change.  They read books about property investing – but never buy an investment property.  They read books about share trading – but never invest in shares.  They read books about starting a business – but never start a business.

It’s like they’re addicted to the books – but never live the reality.  This is the opportunity voyeur.

The other day I wrote a post called, believe it, act like you believe it or stop pretending.  My thinking today is consistent with that post.

Its sounds corny I know – but heck - just step into opportunity instead of ogling it.  Opportunity can be very friendly – even on the first date.

Tagged as: human hebaviour, opportunity

{ 4 comments }Add new