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Your source for tips and tools to increase business profits, connections, satisfaction and success while living your values. |
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I have embarked on something I must admit
— I did NOT
want to do this. Of course, I am absolutely convinced
it’s just what I need right now. But when I really
thought about it, I had no idea how I could possibly
last the 21 days. I imagined myself having to start
over, not just every day, but several TIMES a day. And,
well, to be honest with you – today, I DID have to start
over.
What is this quest, you may be wondering?
Inspired by Edwene Gaines’ brilliant book, “Four
Spiritual Laws of Prosperity,” one of the laws is clear
goal-setting. We’ve all studied and practiced this,
right? Well, she has a twist. It’s a preparatory
practice. Ready for it? Go 21 days without complaining,
criticizing, or gossiping. 21 days. If you slip, simply
forgive yourself and start over. For another 21 days. As
she says, you have to be really careful what you say on
Day 20!!
As I contemplated doing this, I literally could not
imagine how I could last 21 whole days. What would I
say? I played back a recent interaction w/ my son, where
I both complained AND criticized him for losing not one
but both pairs of scissors from the kitchen drawer.
(Mind you — I’m not complaining NOW, just telling a
story!! Really. . . Doesn’t count, right?)
Who says worthwhile things are easy? Not only did I
resolve to do it, I also told my son about my quest and
enrolled him as my “minder.” His job is to tell me if I
slip up, so I can start over the 21 days. He seems to
appreciate the challenge. (He also reminded me that it’s
only me doing this — he doesn’t have to!)
So, what does this have to do with green business?
People in the environmental community, myself included,
can sometimes dwell too much on the negative. There is,
we perceive, much going wrong with the planet’s health.
Climate change (aka “Global Weirding”), destruction of
the rainforest, massive oil spills, species extinctions.
Whew! Just writing that list was a downer!
While it can be motivating to keep in mind these and
other consequences of a mindless, wasteful way of doing
business, a more common response is simply to shut down.
It all becomes overwhelming and seems hopeless.
Since we tend to get more of what we focus on, we need a
new approach: one that emphasizes creativity and
innovation. Seeing opportunities, rather than
limitations. Shifting perspective from fixing what’s
broken to asking, what do we really want here?
So far, five days into my 21-day challenge, the benefits
are already clear. Since complaining and criticism are
off the table, I get to meet each experience with
appreciation and acceptance as the default. This feels
very expansive and liberating, as if a whole part of my
brain finally gets to have its say (having been drowned
out before).
Imagine how the green / sustainability movement would be
if we all decided not to complain or criticize. If we
focused only on appreciation and clarity about what we
want, rather than what we don’t want.
I think it was Mother Teresa who said, “I won’t go to an
anti-war march. But, if you hold a peace march, please
invite me.”
I am enjoying this so much that I may just extend it
indefinitely. With such a light heart, why would I go
back to the old ways of anxiety and worry? Try it! I’d
love to hear your stories....until next time, remember "Let's live on the planet as if we intend to stay."
Julie
GOforChange.com
P.S. A big, warm welcome to everyone who has joined
our green business “tribe” since last week. You're going
to love the practical, how-to information, plus
meaningful inspiration, you find here to help you
accelerate your green business success — enjoy! And stay
in touch. |
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Green is your strategic partner
I am a
believer in the power of learning by example. I’ve
discovered over the years that many businesses and
organizations have similar challenges in going green, even
though their core missions may be quite different. Take a
look at a few recent conversations I’ve had with clients and
peers. These illustrate some common themes.
Our
company has had impressive results from several targeted
“green” projects. Now, we have about 10 people really
engaged and feeling successful. Our challenge now? How do we
engage more of the smart, dedicated folks who work here?
I feel
like I’ve wasted so much time – a year – building the case
for green with our leadership, using both logic and
emotional appeals. There’s so much potential, I just can’t
figure out how to unleash it.
Greening is our
organization’s highest priority, because it ties in to
everything else: business expansion, office and studio
space, travel, outreach and community programs. What do
we have to do to make green a seamless part of our
culture?
We want to be a world-class company, a leader in
sustainability. Our core business – energy efficiency –
certainly qualifies, but we want to go further and
really look at our operations, our community engagement,
and our employee policies.
Does your business have something in common with these
folks? Are you:
• A
mission-driven enterprise that cares about people and the
earth, as well as your bottom line?
• Taking some actions to be a better steward of natural
resources?
• Convinced of – maybe already taking advantage of – the
tremendous cost savings of reducing waste?
• Aware of the great branding opportunities of aligning with
the green movement?
• Serving people who care about the environment?
Maybe, along with these folks, you are also wondering. . . .
• How to save time and get right to what really matters to
your organization;
• How to engage more green champions from within to increase
the great ideas for even more cost savings or
revenue-generation; and
• How to take your greening to the next level – to really
unleash the sleeping green dragon in your business!
Let’s
be honest here. Isn’t it frustrating to see the potential,
but not know how to get there most effectively and
efficiently?
Continue reading this article on my blog...
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BGE Wants to Give you
Money
Maryland’s energy utility, has a new program aimed at
business called Smart Energy Savers. In their lighting
program, they offer to cover up to 80% for retrofit costs,
and the owner gets to pocket all the energy savings. They
even did the homework and have a service providers
directory, to make implementation as easy as possible for
the business owner. Learn more
here.
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7.30.10: Presenter at
Workshop “Net-Zero Energy Building Design and
Construction” Julie and Julia Craighill
from Steven Winter Associates are leading a day-long
workshop for architects and contractors. We will answer
the question, what is a net-zero energy building, review
case studies, and give tips on best practices for design
and construction. |
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Announcing a new
professional association
This is for
you if you are a:
* Marketing, Executive, life or business coach, seeking
to expand your business
* Business owner who is an expert in an area others
would pay you for coaching in. (For example, a therapist
who wants to coach other therapists on having a
successful business)
* Woman who is considering becoming a coach and want
support, training and community connection as you move
ahead with your exciting new business
* Coach of any kind who wants targeted training on how
to market and build a successful coaching business
My mentors, Kendall SummerHawk and Richard Shapiro, are
behind the launch of this exciting new organization. Get
all the details here:
http://budurl.com/mcxp
Tap the Power of
Networks! Become an Enlightened Insider
As a savvy marketer who cares about the
environment, you can help the earth and make extra money
at the same time. When we offer programs, you can choose
to promote them and earn commissions on any sign-ups
that come from your links.
Learn more on our
affiliate page. Sign-up takes about two minutes and
costs nothing. |
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Schedule Your Green Business
Acceleration Session
Are you
encountering challenges in your business greening program?
Feel like you’re wasting time considering too many options?
Encountering roadblocks? In your organization, is there
apathy or a general lack of buy-in? We can help. Schedule a
30-minute Green Business Acceleration Session with Julie.
We’ll roll up our sleeves, diagnose your needs, and come up
with some strategies for you. We are offering a fresh round
of these sessions, and there are only a few slots left.
After April 24th, this offer disappears! Just send an email
to
chris at serenityva.com
with the subject line "Green Acceleration".
Your Eco-Blueprint Home Study Course
A 4-part home study e-Course which helps you to:
• Clear up misunderstandings about what best motivates us to
help the environment, and start fresh with an uplifting,
transformative vision.
• See greening in its larger context - culturally,
historically, and as part of the natural world.
• Think about what going green really means to you.
• Learn to discern which tools will help you baseline your
impact, and eventually to measure and track progress. This
includes the many resources and connections in your own
community.
• Discover how employing environmental practices can also
alleviate financial stress
For all the information for this course
join here. |
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We help you accelerate greening your business. Compress a year’s learning curve into three months.
We work with small business owners to find simple, practical
ways to increase your profitability, satisfaction and
success by going green. We’ve been at this for 20 years, so
green isn’t a fad or trend to us. We know how to go right to
the heart of the matter, cut through the clutter and get to
the gold.
We tailor our work with you based on the kind of support
you are looking for and your level of experience with
greening your business. An overview of our programs:
Green Business Initial Assessment
This questionnaire gives you a quick and clear overview
of the drivers and strategies that can unlock the
bottom-line benefits of green for your company.
Green Business Benchmark
Whether you are just starting out or an experienced
greenie. Fine tune, cut through the hype and go right to
profitable, creative solutions. The Benchmark engages
your green champions, and lets you move away from
ineffective, piecemeal tactics to vision-steered
strategy.
Green Business Acceleration
Accelerate your greening results with visible "wins"
that save time and money right away. This 6-month
program, which includes the Green Business Gateway,
provides ongoing mentorship, education, masterminds,
accountability, and leadership laser coaching.
Green in 15
Refocus and reinvigorate your Green Team's efforts. 15
minutes x 15 actions = 15 green results. Online
teleclass with recordings and workbook. Content and
schedule can be customized for your team.
 Julie Gabrielli, founder of GOforChange, is an
award-winning, leading green business expert. She is an
industry-changer who was instrumental in starting the
sustainable design movement in her region. Her work has
included helping large businesses and institutions develop
sustainability initiatives and Climate Action Plans.
Her years of competitive sailboat racing taught Julie that
when good design is combined with clear vision, steering for
changing conditions, and a healthy respect for the forces of
nature, great results are possible!
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Gabrielli's Green Business is a publication of Gabrielli Design Studio LLC.
All rights reserved, copyright 2010.
2224 Crest Rd
Baltimore, MD 21209
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