Key points
- Posting motivational signs can encourage people to take the stairs and increase their physical activity.
- Develop your own signs or download the signs below.
- Test your signs with your audience to maximize effectiveness.
Overview
Motivational signs can encourage people to use the stairs rather than the elevator. Taking the stairs is one way to add physical activity to your day.
Messages and artwork that motivate one audience may turn off another. Therefore, it is important to test your signs with your audience. Find out what motivates your audience and tailor your messages and artwork accordingly.
What CDC did
CDC created and tested messages for its sign using the following process.
Brainstormed
People with expertise in physical activity, health communication, and social marketing brainstormed different kinds of messages. They considered inspirational, factual, and congratulatory signs. They focused on what they thought would be most motivational to employees.
Conducted focus groups
CDC conducted two focus groups within one building to see how well these messages were received. One group was employees who frequently used the stairs. The other group was employees who usually took the elevator.
The focus group moderator described the intended locations of the proposed messages. Participants were then shown signs and asked for their feedback.
Tailored messages
CDC used information from the focus groups to tailor the messages to the audience. The finished signs were placed strategically at points-of-decision around the building. For example, a sign was placed between the elevator and stairwell and said, "No waiting one door over."
What you can do
Develop your signs or download the signs below.
Before posting the motivational signs, consider conducting focus groups with employees who regularly use the stairs and those who don't.
In the focus groups, explain the purpose of the project. Show examples of signs and ask for feedback. Do the signs make them feel motivated? Interested? Irritated? Use the feedback to develop signs that work for your employees.
You can also test your signs and artwork more informally. Ask colleagues for feedback or conduct a survey. Feedback will help decision making, increase awareness of the project, and make people feel involved.
Message ideas
Signs can motivate behavior, such as choosing the stairs instead of the elevator. Find out what messages your audience prefers.
Use any of the sample signs below or create your own!
Set 1
- Change happens one step at a time.
- I'm walkin'. Yes, indeed. (Fats Domino)
- The victory is not always to the swift, but to those who keep moving.
- Physical activity will add years to your life, and life to your years.
- The first wealth is health. (Ralph Waldo Emerson)
- There are 1440 minutes in every day...schedule 30 of them for physical activity.
- No waiting one door over.
- Small steps make big differences.
- Raise your fitness level, one step at a time.
- Step up to a healthier lifestyle.
- Take a little walk with me. (Muddy Waters)
- One step farther each day. You can do it.
Set 2
- Step up to a healthier and greener lifestyle.
- Add years to your life and life to your years.
- Small steps make a big difference.
- There are 1440 minutes in every day — take 5 now.
- Go green in your daily routine.
- No waiting one door over <- nearest stairwell
- Raise your fitness level, one step at a time.
- No waiting one door over nearest stairwell ->
Additional resources
Prompts to Encourage Physical Activity: Stairwell Ideas
Strategies for Prompts to Encourage Physical Activity