Your trial plan and how to review it

Check the outcome you wanted to change

Choose one approach to try over the next two weeks. This is a practical period for observation, not a timeline for forming a habit. Your plan should include a specific situation, an action and an expected outcome. For example: before ordering groceries, I’ll check which packages are open so I don’t buy something I need to use up at home.

Separate doing the action from its effect. You might check the fridge every time, but if you don’t change your order, the surplus will remain. For transport, track the journey you replace; for printing, unnecessary copies; and for food, recurring purchases that go unused. You don’t need to keep a detailed diary. A simple record is enough to help you decide whether the approach worked.

Compare similar situations and note any important differences. Using less while you’re away on holiday doesn’t in itself show that a new habit saved energy. Similarly, a change in how much food is left over might be due to visitors or a different number of people eating. Without adequate evidence, don’t turn your observations into exact emissions figures or a general percentage improvement.

At the end, decide whether to continue, adjust or replace the approach. Continue if the action fits your life and helps achieve the intended outcome. Adjust the cue or scope if you’ve found an obstacle you can remove. Replace the approach if there’s a better way to solve the problem. Add another habit when you have the capacity. What matters is a useful, repeatable approach that respects your options and the people around you.