The start of a new year can be the perfect time to reflect and plan for the days ahead. This year’s inspiration came from the book “The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck” by Mark Manson. We hope some of the ideas below can help you shift perspective to make–or keep–biking part of your good life.
If you are interested, our 2023 book inspiration focused on improving habits.
Care about Something Important
“…finding something important and meaningful in your life is perhaps the most productive use of your time and energy.”
It is important to start by identifying your values which will then determine your priorities. Is physical/mental health or self-sufficiency or the environment important to you? When you frame your values, you’ll be able to clearly that biking is a good choice for you.
The book gives an extreme example of Japanese soldiers who stayed in the jungle of Philippines for 60 years after World War Two ended because they didn’t believe that the war had ended. Any attempt to notify them, was considered to be a tactic to get them to surrender. Can you imagine being so entrenched (or maybe fearful in this case) in a cause that it becomes your entire life and identity?
Focus on Habits of a Normal Life instead of Exceptionalism
“The stress and anxiety of always feeling inadequate and constantly needing to prove yourself will dissipate. And the knowledge and acceptance of your mundane existence will actually free you to accomplish what you truly wish to accomplish.”
Technology, social media, and the general overwhelm of information is constantly telling us we need to be different and better. We see countless examples of people being amazing and doing amazing things. It’s a constant cycle of consumerism and push for “more” which really isn’t an accurate representation of anyone’s life.
If you can lean in to incorporating biking into your daily life, you won’t care that your neighbor has a new expensive car. You will also likely worry less about the latest fads and fashions.
Embrace the Struggle of Accomplishing Difficult Things
“As Freud once said,’ One day in retrospect the years of struggle will strike you as the most beautiful.’ “
We know that biking is not easy. It’s much easier to get in a car and zone out. However, it is the difficult things you accomplish that can be the most memorable. You can look back and recount how cool it was that you biked even if it meant a little more effort in a day.
Learn how to be Comfortable Being Different, not Indifferent
“The people who just laugh and then do what they believe in anyway. Because they know it’s right. They know it’s more important than they are, more important than their own feelings and their own pride and their own ego.”
If you live in a United States car-dominated suburb, some effort is needed to overcome social expectations. Although it is easy to think that neighbors, acquaintances, and even strangers are judging us, they likely don’t even remember the car you drive or the brand of shoes that you wear beyond a single moment. Take pride in the fact that you are doing something for yourself in alignment with your values.
Small Actions will Lead to Motivation
“Most of us commit to action only if we feel a certain level of motivation. If you lack the motivation to make an important change in your life, do something–anything, really–and then harness the reaction to that action as a way to begin motivating yourself.
The book says that the key to motivation is to first take a small action which will in turn feel inspirational and then motivate you to do a little more. Maybe you start by taking your bike around the neighborhood, then add a little more distance. Before you know it, you will feel great about your progress and be motivated to do even more.
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