How to stick to a pledge

Changing behaviours and setting new, positive habits can feel daunting. Don't worry, we've got you. 

We've been doing this for 10 years and we know what works. Here are our 3 top tips.

1. Make it achievable.

 

• All the cliches are true: Rome wasn't built in a day, Cathedrals are made using many bricks.
• If you've never sewed anything before, you're unlikely to fix a new zip to your old jeans on the first attempt without any hiccups.
• Be realistic and set small, achievable steps. You're more likely to win that way.

2. Change your environment.

 

Rejig things in your life to make your new behaviour stick. This will change your life.

For example, if you lose keys easily, an alarm that locates them helps you find the lost keys, but it doesn't fix the problem. Put an unavoidably visible hook just inside the front door however, and your old habits are interrupted. You're reminded to hang your keys in the same place every time you walk in the door. 

What you can change in your environment to help you remember your new behaviour and achieve your pledge?

• Trying to eat less meat? Go to a greengrocers to get your shopping, or go to a veggie-only cafe so won't be tempted.
  
• Want to cycle more? Ask a trusted friend to hide your rail pass or car keys. And get the right kit so a bit of rubbish weather doesn't make or break it for you.
  
• Trying to have cooler showers? Turn the heat down on your boiler so your water can't get too hot.

3. Be part of a community.

 

• Making your commitment public helps you stick to it.  Do Nation is designed for this -  your pledge appears on the campaign page you're pledging to, and you can share your pledge socially too (see the tweets at the bottom of every Do Action page).
• Being held accountable helps. And knowing other people around you are striving to make similar changes.
• If you're part of a pledge programme at work, be sure to join the Slack, yammer or Teams chats where people are sharing tips ad supporting each other. (And if that doesn't exist, perhaps suggest it.)
• Share your tips, successes, failures and learnings on social so the wider community can too. Tag @the_donation on instagram, facebook and twitter.

At the end of your 2 month pledge period we'll ask you to confirm how you got on.

Best of luck!