Accomplishing Multiple Goals At Once
I am a huge fan of getting more than one use out of something that I do. When I do teleseminars, I record them so that I can use the information later on my website, in a podcast or in a product. When I run errands, I try to group all my errands onto the same day so that I can be efficient about getting from one place to the next. If I am traveling someplace, I try to visit those I know on the way. If I update one friend from far away whom I haven't talked to in a while, I cut and paste the info and update everyone else who hasn't heard from me. In this way, I get a lot done with the least amount of effort. I call it optimizing.
Optimizing
Most recently, I've decided to optimize my life. I looked at my carbon footprint. I looked at my income and expenses. I looked at how I live my life and the resources around me. I looked at my health. I looked at everything. (Basically, I did a more in-depth version of the process I take my real estate coaching clients through when we start.) And what I realized is this. My car lease is ending on February 2nd, so I'm giving up my car.
Five Birds - One Stone
I bought a bike last month - a really cool one that I love to ride. (This was important because I know myself and I know that if I don't like riding it, I won't.) This way I can get to the T (the subway in Boston) station by my house quickly - it's only a mile away. And, once I get used to riding it - which I haven't yet - I'll be able to ride further distances. Most of the city is within 5 miles of me. So, now that I have an alternative form of transport as well as buses and a Zipcar lot within a couple blocks of my house, I'm ready to give up my car. Here's what I'll accomplish in that one move:
- Reduce my expenses by $500/mo. between the car payment, insurance, parking fees, maintenance, and parking tickets. This is Boston - you can't go without a ticket every now and again, no matter how careful you are. Sure, I'll have to pay for a Zipcar occasionally and pay for the buses/subway but it shouldn't come to more than $100/mo. most months since I work from home.
- Increase my walking and bike useage which will increase my overall health and, hopefully, facilitate some weight loss.
- Reduce my carbon footprint by 7.99 tons of CO2 per year (including the secondary footprint). I tend to drive even when I could walk - it's inevitable. The buses are already running and already burning the gas, I'm going to make use of them. Plus, when there's an event in western Massachusets that I need to go to, it will encourage me to carpool with someone, thereby reducing the footprint even further. And, when I go south to visit family, I'll take the train instead of driving - again reducing the footprint of my existence on the planet.
- No more shovelling the driveway. I live in a three-family at the moment and the deal we have is that those who want to park in the driveway shovel it. Now that I will no longer have a car, I don't have to shovel the driveway.
- No parking woes. Since I will no longer be driving, I will not have to worry about parking. Whee! (This can be a real hassle in the city.)
Doing Something Uncomfortable
Yes, it's uncomfortable for me to let go of the convenience of having a car. I've owned a car continuously since I was sixteen. My early driving years were spent in southern California where the culture is to drive everywhere. (Really an odd thing since it's the one place in the country where the weather is always fit for biking.) I'm REALLY uncomfortable with the idea of not having my car. Which is why I'm doing it. I know that the biggest changes are the ones that make us uncomfortable.
What You Own - Owns You Too
My boyfriend has a saying that ownership is bidirectional and he's right. As much as I own my car, it owns me. I have to maintain it, find a place to park it, lock it so that no one steals it, clean it, etc. It takes time and money. So in letting go of the car, I'm also letting go of a little of the pull on my personal resources.
Getting a GREAT Attitude
I also know that attitude is everything, so I've been cultivating my awesome attitude. Yesterday, I went out for a bike ride - it was brisk but beautiful. I rode my purple bike and rang my bell just because. I had my bell sing with the birds in the trees on the bike path. I smiled at people as I went. (I tend to growl at other drivers - people in Massachusetts aren't very good drivers.) I noticed my heart racing as I pedalled my bike and I gave myself kudos for the aerobic workout I was getting. I enjoyed the wind on my face - even though it made the pedalling harder. I laughed out loud with the freedom of biking in the open air. Then, later that evening, I walked a few blocks from where I had parked my car (I know, but I still have it for the moment), and I enjoyed the walking. By the end of the evening, my joints hurt and my muscles were sore, but I felt triumphant. I was getting healthier and better prepared for my life without a car.
Challenge
So here's my challenge for you as you consider the coming year. What one thing can you do that would improve your life, improve your bottom line, and improve the environment or your community? Think outside of the box and get creative. If it makes you uncomfortable - even better! It means you're growing. The New Year is coming. What will you make of it?
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Kelle Sparta, author of The Consultative Real Estate Agent, is one of the top innovators in the industry. She thinks outside of the box and she does it with style, which is how she managed to sell 25 houses her first year in the business in a market just like this one in an area where she had no sphere of influence! Kelle's innovative techniques took her to the top of the market in 1993 and they can take you there now. Kelle has coached agents from around the country who have been producing as much as $45 million per year in gross volume. Now she brings her unique style of real estate to you. Her dynamic presentation skills, high energy approach, and brilliant new ideas are sure to be the highlight of your day. Kelle is the founder of Sparta Success Systems, a real estate training company that provides products, coaching and training to empower agents and brokers to create lives and businesses they can love. For more information, visit her website at http://www.spartasuccess.com/. © 2008, Kelle Sparta.
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