My goal for this past week was to take the bus to and from the UMD campus 5 times per week
I did not meet my goal this week. I have to say I am not to surprised. I do have busy schedule and that is what did me in. I only took the bus 3 times this past week. I ended up driving because I had other commitments right after class so I did not have the time to take the bus. I had been doing good about not scheduling so tightly so I am kind of disappointed in myself for giving in and taking and driving.
When I did take the bus I felt the same things I have been feeling previously. While I was waiting outside in the cold (and this week seemed really really cold!) I would think of how I could be in my nice warm car. I continued to wake up 10 minutes early so I could easily make the bus and I would not have to rush. It seems over the past few weeks I have gotten into a routine and it really helps me succeed in taking the bus.
I look to continue to strive to take the bus at least 3 times per week to and from campus.
Review of SMART Goal Process:
My SMART goal started off taking the bus 3 times per week and then progressed to taking the bus 5 times per week to and from campus. The amount of times I took the bus gradually increased as I would achieve my goal.
I did not meet my goal the first week because I did not change any of my behaviors. I expected I could just wake up and get on the bus instead of driving. This was not successful. I ended up either rushing and missing the bus or finding out I could not take the bus because I had commitments right after school. Therefore, I started waking up 10 minutes earlier and I started planning other things later in the day so I could have time to take the bus home. This helped my achieving my goals week to week. The weather also helped me be successful. I tend to be afraid of driving in snowy or icy weather. So I had extra incentive on stormy days to take the bus.
I benefited because I am now in a routine that I continue even after the SMART goal project is done. I feel that this is a sustainable action. I also saved a lot of money on gas. I noticed I did not have to fill up my gas tank nearly has often as I did before. It is great!
I learned that taking the bus is not difficult at all. I learned it is also very convenient and it takes about the same amount of time by car and it does by bus. I also learned how to take the bus and how to read a bus schedule. Seems silly but I did not know how to read a bus schedule before. I learned about myself that once I get into a routine it is really easy. The hardest part for me was breaking my old routine, once I got past that it was really easy to change my behavior.
My behavior change benefited the environment because as a result of me taking the bus there was one less car on the road. That is one less car contributing to air and noise pollution. Others benefited from my actions because since I was not driving there was less traffic on the road. If a lot more people took the bus there would be a lot less traffic on the roads.
I do plan on continuing this behavior. I have found it to not be that difficult now that I am in a routine. My recommendation for those seeking a behavior change is to stick with it even if it is difficult at first. The hardest part, in my opinion, is starting the behavior change because it is so different from what you are used to. My advice is to stick with it past that first week. Once you make that initial behavior change, it is all down hill from there!
Blogged for AmyintheRain
I think it's great that you were willing to rearrange your schedule for the little inconvenience of riding the bus. That's pretty remarkable if you ask me. I know I'm not able to take the bus since I almost always have a commitment after class. I agree that after you make the behavior change and have a routine it is much easier to uphold.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like overall you did a pretty good job with your SMART goal. You really made an effort especially with changing your schedule around. I know where your coming from. I try and take the bus as much as possible, but it gets hard when you have multiple commitments
ReplyDeleteRearranging your schedule to achieve your goal is a big step regardless if you met it or not. With how busy we all are as college students this is a very bold goal and it seems like you were willing to challenge yourself a lot to achieve it.
ReplyDeleteThree times a week is better than none at all! Even though you didn't meet your goal, you still did pretty well. I think it's impressive that you get up earlier just to make the bus! :)
ReplyDeleteI think that it is awesome that you have set your schedule so that you can make the bus. It can be difficult at times but it seems that you were able to make it work. It is also positive that you saved money on gas, especially since it is getting so expensive again and it benefits the environment. I think your recommendation is a great one! I hope you are able to continue this change :)
ReplyDeleteDon't be too discouraged! Take a look at how far you have come! Before this project you were always driving and now you ride the bus at least 3 times per week! I think that's a great accomplishment, I would suggest just sticking with 3 times a week a while longer and then try the the 5 times again. You can do it!
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