Visioneering Project: Part I

Do the stories you tell yourself contribute to optimism or pessimism?
In general I think of myself as a optimistic person. I am always trying to look for the good in people and situations. However, when it comes to certain topics, like if you asked me a few weeks ago if I envision a sustainable future, I would of said no. Now, I see a different side. Over the past few weeks I have become well informed about the problems we face today with the environment and what we need to do to make a change. From becoming aware and learning this information about the environment, I now have an optimistic envision of a sustainable environment. The article Thinking Ahead: The Value of Future Consciousness describes it perfectly when they talk about how when you have a pessimistic view "you are more likely to do things that increase the likelihood that you will fail again." Basically you are setting yourself up for failure. The future holds possibilities so you might as well anticipate positive rather than negative. By having an optimistic envision on a sustainable future, I feel that you are more likely to see positive results.

What are the key tenets or characteristics that define you vision?
-Recycle
-Inform and Educate
-Control Consumption

What are the mental modes (or beliefs) which will be required to create that future? What would on have to believe to bring about your vision? 
-You can make a difference. Recycling is almost like a trend. If you recycle, you never know who will follow in your footsteps. Everyone should recycle. It doesn't take much extra time or effort. Recycling clothing takes just as much effort as throwing it away so you might as well recycle it.
-By becoming aware and learning about the problems we face today with environmental sustainability you will be more willing to make an effort towards change because you will realize the problems we face are real but there is something you can do about it.
-Only use what you actually need.

What are some habitual beliefs (the stories we tell ourselves) which may present barriers to your vision? 
In the article Visioneering: an essential framework in sustainability science it talks about how one of the first steps toward sustainability is to envision a sustainable world. It is impossible to envision a sustainable world when you are unaware of the sustainability issues the world faces today. Most people are not well-informed about the issues we face today and how severe they are. I know that a few weeks ago I had no idea that there were so many problems. I didn't think that I could make a change, mostly because I didn't know what the issues were and I wasn't interested. People need to realize that learning about our environmental issues is necessary and that they can make a difference by changing little things in their daily life. For example, reusing materials or recycling clothing. Every single person makes a difference. When one person hops on, more people are likely to join which is what creates a big difference. The article Limiting Consumption: Toward a Sustainable Culture talks about the problems with over consumption and underconsumption. People need to give up the idea that money equals self-worth because this will get you nowhere. Studies have shown that money doesn't by happiness so why do people over consumer? Advertising. Advertising is one of the main reasons why people overconsume. People buy into all these great ads and buy things they don't need and may never use. One solution is that ads are gearing more towards teaching sustainability but ultimately it is up to you.  It may be hard but you need to try to not buy into these ads for the sake of the environment and yourself.

How might you communicate and engage others in your vision that will compel them to follow?
In order to engage others in my vision I will have to be truthful and give them the facts in a way that they will understand. It is important to always be truthful so people will put their trust in me and my vision. Also they need to understand my vision and I can do this by boldly stating the facts. I think also stating what good will come out of this for them is important. Because no matter what people will always be concerned with themselves and they need to know that they will also benefit from this. People will save time, money and the environment by engaging in my vision.