Our latest article, 'Going for Olympic Gold in behaviour change' published by The Marketing Society today, discusses how having the Olympics on home ground is motivating us all.
For many of us, this is probably the one and only time we will have the Olympic Games on our home ground, and it is having an amazing impact on the Nation's psyche (and sideburns). From a behavioural change perspective, it is fascinating to see how the Olympics raise our motivation, sparking incredible natural highs and extremes of energy and determination. And when motivation is high, behavioural change can suddenly become easier or seem more attainable, and anything is possible. Just a quick scan of Twitter mid-Olympics reveals the topsy-turvy heights of people's newfound motivations. For example, take this jumping bean of a spectator:
"Watching the #olympics makes me wanna cartwheel/swim/cycle/horse ride/run/jump!"
or this couch potato turned couch cleaner
"Funny that the day I decide I DO have the energy to vacuum underneath the couch cushions is the same day the #Olympics get going. #Inspired."
In essence, in this overwhelming inspirational context, we become more open to change and being changed. This applies not only to getting involved in sports or adopting a more healthy lifestyle, but also to broader topics and social issues like money management, education, safe driving - in fact, virtually any behaviour that is difficult to sustain in the long term.
We must remember, however, that our motivation will not stay high forever. Behavioural economics has proved to us that the average person has a natural tendency to procrastinate, suffers from poor self-control, and rarely gets around to making their good intentions stick fast. Click here to continue reading our article.
