It’s that time of the year again when plans and aspirations are big, time capacity is scarce, budgets already set – and the old routine is just about to take over again.
And yet: it is also the time of the year where there is that untypical window of opportunity. THE window of opportunity one could argue: introduce a small change. Small enough not to be overly tough to uphold. But big enough that, if repeated times and over again, at the very least 365 times a year, starts to make a difference.
Where: Well, it could be at home, in your commuting habits, at work, at the company you’re the CEO of …
In short everywhere.
What could such ‘small changes’ be?
Here a few ideas:
Company:
- Employee
Restaurant:
All menus but one are vegetarian.
OR Monday, Wednesday and Friday are not only vegetarian but also eat around the world’ days. - Coffee machine:
Coffee culture is meeting culture …
Kick that disposable cup and capsule habit. Get a good coffee machine, decent cups, and ensure the machine is centrally located. First class DYI coffee for all. - Hight-adjustable desks: Every new desk in need of buying is hight-adjustable ,allowing employees to work standing up as well as sitting down.
- Make repair and
used fashionable: Plenty of office equipment – electronics as well
as furniture or lamps – are either regularly replaced (while still
in perfectly fine working condition) because they have been written
off, or because they have slight damages.
Prioritise repair over purchasing new, used and unique over new and ‘standardised’. Whether its desks, chairs, filing cabinets, printers, copiers or laptops. Repair first. And if really no other options is possible: Buy used.
And yes, this also works for electronics – there are companies who specialise in providing companies with pre-loved standardised electronic equipment.
At home:
- Curated gardens and flower pots are overrated. Get those wild flower mixes that surprise across the season. Simply seed in a pot, leave them out to catch the rain. Then keep watching …
- Curb side riches: You will be amazed how many very well preserved household items are disposed of and are looking for a new owner. From coffee makers to plant pots. It’s surprising what people through out for no good reason at all.
- 1 one thing to remember per day: what was THE highlight of your day? A lovely cookie? A colleague that made you chuckle? A kid’s smile in the bus? A quiet train ride in the morning? There is a highlight, always!
Personally:
- Wear your pair of jeans for at least a week …How long can you go until someone notices?
- Get up 15 minutes earlier, make yourself a good cup of tea … and just enjoy the quite. Give yourself room to think.
- Choose one thing you love to consume – tea, coffee, cakes, sweets, fruit – where you prioritise quality over price. And fine the tastiest version of it with the most amazing back story you can find.
Small is beautiful, and tiny habits can create change.
Try it out!
