Falling Down and Getting Up in February
Employees share first update on New Year's resolutions
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Rebecca Williams' reminder of her resolution
February is nearly over and New Year’s resolutions are still a work in progress for Rebecca Williams, accounting clerk at North Fork Correctional Facility and Patrick Jablonski, senior director, Quality Assurance and Research Analysis. Although unusually harsh winter weather put a damper on their development, Williams and Jablonski are determined not to let it stop them from reaching their goals.
It's Not Easy Being Green
Little by little, Williams continues to move toward her goal of living greener in 2010 – even though recent weather conditions temporarily stifled her progress.
“I had a little setback when our electricity went off during an ice storm and stayed off for two weeks,” Williams says. “That was a challenge in itself.”
With no guarantee of how long their water pump would continue working, she and her husband used paper plates and cups to cut down on washing dishes. In addition, they had to buy gas to fuel their generator and keep the refrigerator and freezer running, and they stocked up on batteries to power flashlights and lanterns – all of which Williams says “wasn’t very green.”
Since electricity has been restored, however, Williams and her husband have sacrificed several conveniences for the environment’s sake.
“I managed to talk my husband out of using Styrofoam cups for his coffee - that was a hard-won battle,” she says. “No more Styrofoam for us. And I have eliminated paper plates from my grocery list.”
Instead of trashing unwanted mail, Williams found an innovative way to recycle the paper, building on an idea she had already implemented.
“We bought a paper shredder and we shred our junk mail and use the paper for mulch on our flower beds and garden,” Williams says. “It sure keeps down the weeds and also holds in the moisture.”
In order to keep her New Year’s resolution top of mind, Williams placed a symbolic keepsake in her work space – one that makes a serious statement but can also elicit a smile.
“I have put Kermit the Frog on my desk at work and he's holding a sign that reads, 'It's not easy being green,'" she says. "It's just as a reminder to be less wasteful with our resources.”
Body Battling
“The first six weeks of the year have netted little progress for me toward my goal,” says Patrick Jablonski, senior director, Quality Assurance and Research Analysis.
But after realizing this, Jablonski started strategizing ways to get on track. Without sufficient time to hit the gym, he decided to buy an elliptical machine for his home. To cut the calories, he eliminated beer from his diet and at every opportunity, he takes the stairs instead of the elevator. As a result, he lost five pounds in just one week.
“This winter has been a little colder than what we have been used to and this has really impacted my desire to go out and run and bike,” Jablonski says. “Nashville did get a few snowstorms and I spent a lot of time with my kids sledding. The burning in my chest climbing the sled hill in the neighborhood has reinforced my desire to get in shape; I will have much better results this time next month.”
Click here to view last month's article on these employees' New Year's resolutions, and keep an eye out for their March updates. Did you commit to a New Year’s resolution? Share your thoughts, experiences or encouraging words by sounding out.
By DeAndra Mack
Sound Out
PAMELA CAGLE at NORTHFORK:
i'm impressed with ms williams for going the extra mile to help save our environment. the little things we do really add up. kudos