A recent focus group revealed attitudes to being green varying from those who were actively doing what they could, enthusiasts and those who wanted to do more but felt changing their lifestyle would require too much time and effort.
No-one responded saying they didn't want to do more in terms of 'greening' their lifestyle and there are those who are doing a lot.
When one gentleman whose input was invaluable stated he couldn't afford to make the changes required for a greener life as making the adjustments would take up too much time (he recycled but admitted not as much as he should as sometimes he wouldn't sort out the paper from the rest of the stuff and just throw it all away in one bin, he took his car for short journeys even though his doctor advised him to get more exercise and lower his blood pressure and he left his phone charger plugged in for whenever his mobile phone needed a boost).
This gentleman liked the campaign banners around Harrow and agreed it was up to all of us but he believed he didn't have the time to make the changes even though most of the above changes he'd need to make would enhance his life, save him money and in the long run save him time too.
A lady who was an enthusiast began discussing with him how times had changed and how in the 80s and 90s it was predicted that technology would bring about a time when everyone would have more time as machines would make life easier and free up time. However the opposite had happened. Personal communication was overtaken by emails and text messages, beepers, mobile phones served to increase the number of conversations people were having and most of us can no longer wait until we get to a computer to check our email so we carry devices with us to check it on the go... and we still have no time!
Her point was that we live in a nanosecond culture where we can often think we have no time, but it takes only a second to decide to change. The moment you decide to make a change in your life - be it a lifestyle change, a change in your health or your business, that is the beginning of it. You've done it by deciding to do it, now you'll find the time to do it.
The gentleman listened with interest and took on the lady's comments and made a decision to firstly look after himself more by starting daily walks that he hoped would get him more used to walking and eventually replace his short trips by car, as well as keep his doctor happy.
The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step and the decision to change takes only a second. Go!
9 comments:
Interesting. I was just discussing this with someone the other day how I think technology hasn't made my life easier but more complicated.
This sounds like the beginning of a technology analogy!
Technology is created to serve a purpose which is to make life more efficient. It doesn't however make your life more efficient if you don't use it properly. You have to manage how you use those tools and decide which ones enhance your life.
Some people are excessively using technology while others are not using it enough, but it depends on your demand and needs and how you can adapt it to that.
couldn't agree more: no one has time. Internet age and no one has time, can you believe it? The information superhighway is overloaded and there's hitchikers everywhere. GO!
What an inspiring story! I like that it's not directly related but is about the cause. Yes, the decision to change takes a second and impacts a lifetime. We can all change and make our lives a little greener which will make a big difference. Let's go, team!
Modern devices are so polluting, more polluting cars dirty our roads, music and mobiles pollute the airwaves and fill it with radiation (and no one cares??) and buses are full of school children instead of those who pay for the service and to use it. Good luck changing everyone as it's exactly as the focus group story reveals, times area changing.........
I LOVE THIS STORY!
I LOVE THIS STORY!
I hope the gentleman mentioned feels better when walking and his blood pressure goes down. I have the utmost respect for people who try new things like this and I know it's not allways easy to do but it is true that if you try something that is good for you and earth then you are making milestones.
Well done whoever you are.
Post a Comment