On Elevators

Push up button.  Stand with growing numbers of others.  Wait for light to indicate next elevator.  Rush over when it arrives.  Crowd in.  Reach over to left to push my floor.  Stop at multiple floors on way.  For most of my working life, this has been final part of my commute to work.   

Last summer, however, that changed.  My building got one of those new-fangled elevators – when I swipe my key card through the lobby turnstile an elevator is assigned. I walk over to that bay. It arrives quickly.  I travel alone or at busy times with one other person. I get to my floor in one or no stops.

The new method is more efficient, takes less effort on my part. Some mornings I get to my floor 4 minutes faster.  I never have to jostle.  And for months it has driven me crazy, filled me with frustration. I forget to look down when I swipe so don’t know my bay.  I walk over to the up button that isn’t there.  Can’t remember which bay is bay X.   Walk into the elevator and reach left to push a button for my floor.  I know the new elevator system is better but I still struggle most mornings to adapt to the new way.

Old habits are hard to break and new ones hard to learn - even when the new habit is better, when you want to change.   Change takes time no matter how much you want it.  Start small.  Build slowly. Practice every day.  Echos of the old will come back but that is ok.  Focus on what you have gained and the progress you have made.