New Year’s Resolutions for Trail Builders

New Year’s Resolutions for Trail Builders

It’s finally that time of the year we’ve all been waiting for- the end of the year! We’re all stoked to finally tell 2020 to kick rocks and beat it. We’re not going to say that 2021 will be some sort of show stopper, but with the past year coming to a close we are getting excited to start a new one. 2021 feels like it’s going to be a year that focuses on recovering from the stress of 2020 and hopefully some new beginnings. What better way to jump onto that path than with a few mellow, obtainable New Year’s Resolutions? Here are some goals you can set to check off this year:

1. Treat yourself - Whether it is not riding our bikes enough, or not spending the extra $10-$20 for the nicer tool, we are often guilty of working harder and talking ourselves out of an extra treat.  As much as we love trail building, riding our bikes is how we got into this awesome way of life in the first place. So take an extra ride day every now and then or splurge on that new tool you’ve been debating on. You deserve it.
   
   
2. Show some love to your least favorite trail (if it’s cool) - No hate to the creator, but just as everyone has a favorite trail, we all have a least favorite as well. Maybe it’s an old project of your own that brings out the perfectionist in you, or maybe it’s one that just hasn’t seen the shiny side of a shovel in a while. Dedicate a day to spruce it up and get to know it. Develop more respect for it. Make it buttery and fun. Enjoy your hard work, then enjoy the ride!
   
   
3. Take someone out trail building - Pay it forward a bit and show someone the ropes. If someone you know is keen, why not shape a new set of hands to possibly help you out in the future? Hopefully they have a great time, soak it all in, and leave with more respect and knowledge about how these trails come to be. If not, at least you did your part and you can try again next year. 
   
   
4. Spend an extra 15 minutes on a feature, every time - This one requires you to think outside the berm sometimes. For every feature you build, when you’re ready to call it, spend an additional 15 minutes on it. That extra detail you did, will always stick out to you and give you a little bit more satisfaction. Maybe you replanted a fern in a beautiful spot, or maybe you added that extra bucket of dirt to square up a corner. You could chop a few spindly roots or remove one or two eyesores. Whatever it is, it’ll end up feeling cathartic. Your extra moment of zen before you move on.
   

New Year resolutions don’t have to be life changing. If you choose right, they’ll make you more mindful and conscious of what you’re doing. In the end that will help you make the changes in life you’ve possibly been wanting to see.

Happy New Year from Builder Design Co.