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We help you accelerate greening your business. 1, 2, 3 . . . Green! |
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I had a conversation with my son’s 2nd-grade teacher the other day. It occurred to me that, having seen her in action, she lives a good bit of her day in the moment. I asked her what that’s like, and her answer both surprised and delighted me. “It takes a lot of preparation,” she said. As it happens, about two hours per day, in order to be spontaneous and fresh during her time with 20 students every day.
I’m fascinated by work that demands that sort of in-the-moment attention, whether it’s teaching in a Waldorf school or doing improv, music, sports, painting. And equally fascinated (and impressed) by the amount of preparation it takes to master that effortless unfolding of moments during intense engagement with one’s craft.
This was brought up again by Daniel Pink’s book, “Drive,” a wonderful tour through what really motivates us. He talks about the flow state, those times of pure connection to something we do just for the sheer enjoyment of it. Interestingly, studies have shown that people get into flow states more often while at work. Yet, so much of the modern workplace tends to thwart this profoundly peaceful – and very productive – state of being.
In the main article, I explore one reason why this is so. Are you using only half your mind while tackling the challenges of greening your business? Read below for my 7 tips to get in the flow.
...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.
P.P.S In case you are wondering, that’s my son Toby at his lemonade stand a few weekends ago. He is a born merchant. Loves money. He really appreciates the fun, joy, and ease it can bring to his life. Also -- nothing wrong with sitting outside on a gorgeous day, reading a good book and meeting neighbors over a cup of ice-cold lemonade!
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Are you using only half your mind? 7 tips to get in the flow.
You know the expression that begins, “I’ve got half a mind to. . . ?” Well, guess what? Most of us really are using only half our mind when tackling the tough challenges of greening our business. That’s the equivalent of trying to go three rounds with Mohammad Ali with one hand tied behind your back!
Yes, the focus of the green movement is almost exclusively on a linear, left-brain, problem-solving approach. Give things up, use less, eat your kale. While this has its place, it isn’t very inspiring. It is far more rewarding to engage our whole mind – including the often overlooked right brain.
I am more convinced than ever of the power of creative expression to catalyze new thinking. Brain science confirms this: we have two hemispheres, right and left. By holding only to the rational, linear, and analytical left brain, we treat the right brain as a poor step-child. We need to get over thinking of right-brain pursuits like art, photography, film, poetry, music, and storytelling as mere “entertainment.”
As Albert Einstein observed:
The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind is a faithful servant. We have created a society that honors the servant and has forgotten the gift.
Relying only on the seen and rational, to the exclusion of engaged intuitive leaps, is one reason why more entrepreneurs aren’t already seeing the green in their own business. It also makes working sessions seem long, tedious, and – dare I say – boring. Since change is often challenging, using half our mind makes things way harder than they need to be!
I was reminded of this recently, working with a successful energy-efficiency consultancy to benchmark their sustainability practices.
Continue reading and get the 7 tips on my blog... |
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Baltimore takes its place as an urban food mecca
Food security. Sustainable agriculture. Slow food. Healthy, locally-sourced food. Whatever it’s called, Baltimore is quickly taking the lead nationwide in the movement towards local, sustainable food. Learn more here.
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6.8.10: Panelist at Go Green Energy Conference, Frederick, MD: “Making Your Business a Green Machine”
Julie and fellow panelists will give tips and advice on how to maximize government incentives for your small business while cutting energy costs and going green on a budget. Download the PDF flyer for more information.
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 in Columbia, MD. 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. Download the PDF flyer for more information.
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“Drive: the Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us” by Daniel Pink
We are happiest acting from an internal motivation – just because it’s fun, interesting, engaging, or challenging. Pink calls this “intrinsic motivation,” and it’s the key to truly creative breakthroughs. Three things support us: autonomy, mastery, and purpose. This book is full of great science, stories, and advice.
Buy the book! Visit the GOforChange bookshelf at Powell’s Books. OR – buy it from your local, independent bookseller.
Tap the Power of Networks! Become an Enlightened Insider.
An effective way to tap into the awesome power of networks is to become a GOforChange Affiliate (or, as we say, 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 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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