I find it a bit annoying when I look up advice for living more eco-friendly and all I get are quick tip snippets. Don’t get me wrong, the tip snippets are good advice. They just don’t really address the “how-to” element of living more sustainably. Maybe it’s just me, and most people are fine with a quick tip and can figure it out from there, that’s great if that’s the case. But for those of us who want to know how to deal with problems ahead of time, we need tips within the tips so we can make a game plan.
Don’t just tell me to get a reusable water bottle, please share insights on where to fill it up if I’m traveling or running errands. Otherwise, I’ll end up buying bottled water at the gas station or store when I run out of water. Yes, with practice and perseverance, these little things can be figured out, but a heads up would be nice. In other words, what are the actual next steps for better habits for a better planet?
SP’s Monthly Challenge Worksheet for setting eco-friendly goals
When I put together my personal plastic-free challenge, I thought about what type of structure and prepping would be the most helpful for better habits. I came up with this Monthly Challenge worksheet (the printable tracking templates will be available soon). I’ve provided a downloadable version of the worksheet so you can use it for your own eco-friendly goals. The image below is the Challenge Worksheet example. The example I used was, “bringing a reusable mug to the coffee shop”. Be sure to read through it to get more clarity on the worksheet questions and see my planning process.
Section 1 of the worksheet
The first section of the worksheet is about the goal itself – focusing on who, what, where, when, and why. For those of you who know about SMART criteria for goal setting, this section should look very familiar.
Section 2 of the worksheet
The second section is about figuring out what your options are for reducing, reusing, recycling, and refusing the specific item. This will help you set your personal parameters and help with decision-making. It’s also a great opportunity to explore more of the resources available in your community, whether they be local or online. Just to clarify, on the worksheet, there is an option for “refuse/alternate” – this is for figuring out alternates you can use if you choose to refuse the item.
Section 3 of the worksheet
The third section is a chance to really reflect on what problems you might encounter and what you’re most concerned about. Try to consider what are going to be the biggest obstacles or struggles for you. Then write out how you plan to overcome those problems and struggles. Think back on previous experiences, what worked for you and what didn’t.
4th and final section of the worksheet
Now that you’ve figured out your goal and how to achieve it, the fourth section is where you’re going to list your next steps. Your next steps should have an actionable component like “getting a …”, or “make a spot for…”. Don’t forget to list any additional support you might need for this goal.
That brings us to the final question, identifying what personal success looks like for this challenge. If it’s an activity or habit you want to improve, then decide what percentage of attempts need to be successful (see example). If you’re trying to change out a plastic dependent habit for an alternative, success could be defined by what skills or recipes you hope to learn by the end of the challenge, along with successful attempts.
That about covers everything for the Eco-challenge worksheet. Be sure to share in the comments section about any of the sustainable habits you’d like to establish in your life!
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