If You're Reading This It's Too Late (Awareness & Reflection) (Blog #4)

It's been extremely difficult to continue my behavior since the beginning of the project, but it was especially difficult during winter break. Every day I woke up surrounded by darkness. When I went to turn my lights on, I realized there wasn't a lightbulb there. I felt sad. Walking into my room felt like walking into a cult meeting.

Over winter break, I had a few friends come over to my house. It was pretty difficult explaining why I didn't have lights in my room. They probably think I'm weird now. But, at least I'm saving the environment!

As an alternative to turning on my lights, I just used the flashlight on my phone. It sort of helped, but it just wasn't the same. I was able to keep myself from screwing the lightbulb back in, but it took a lot of effort. It's way harder than it sounds to have your lights off forever.

1. Read this article on how to influence OTHER people’s behaviors.

In order to persuade other people to follow my behaviors, I'm going to tell people about the implications of having your lights on. I'm going to tell people how not using lights can save money and the environment. I'll also tell people about my experience. They might be scared, as I described my experiences without light as horrific, but they'll know that it'll be worth it, because in the end, they're helping to save the environment.

1. Read this article on ways to make sustainability more popular with consumer

I think one method I could use to try and persuade others to follow my behaviors is to not use a whole bunch of crazy statistics and numbers. In the article, it states, "It’s unreasonable to assume that consumers will translate sustainable attributes into benefits that matter to them. More marketers need to visibly demonstrate how green products make a real difference to people’s lives" (1). In order to successfully persuade people, I need to show the implications visually, not through a whole bunch of words on a screen.

1. You have now undergone a behavior change for 50 days, 16 days short of the average amount of time that it takes for a new habit to form. Reflect on your experience and post your thoughts on these final questions:

I probably won't continue this habit unless I'm forced to. However, I will make sure to use my lights less. For example, instead of having them on for 8 hours a day, I'll only have my lights on for 2-3 hours a day. Doing this will be a little bit easier, as I've gotten used to not having my lights on at all for these 50 days.

1. Was this process effective in helping you form a new environmental behavior? Would this process be helpful in engaging your audience with a new conservation behavior? Why or why not? What would you do differently?
2. Has this experience prompted you to investigate or engage in other behavioral changes related to conservation and sustainability?

5. References: *Cog Skill: Selecting Relevant Sources

Include citations in one of two ways:
1) Robertson, Colin. “6 Factors That Influence Our Behavior.” Willpowered Evolution, Willpowered Evolution, 1 Dec. 2014,
www.willpowered.co/learn/factors-of-behavior-influence.
2) Arena, Christine. “6 Ways To Make Brand Sustainability Resonate With Consumers.” Fast Company, Fast Company, 22 Aug. 2013, www.fastcompany.com/3015902/6-ways-to-make-brand-sustainability-resonate-with-consumers.
3) In-text
4) Footnotes