Goal For The Green

Most of us set goals as an objective to achieve a desired outcome or a desired state of affairs. In today’s world, it seems that everything is “green” or “going green”.  So, why not goal green?

The thought came to me one day when I was thinking about my Mom.  She was the most organized, well planned, detail-oriented woman I have ever known.  I affectionately named her the “sticky queen.”  There were post-it notes everywhere in her house, on the fridge, on the phone, on and in her checkbook, the washer and dryer, even the bathroom mirror. I thought perhaps she couldn’t remember what she needed to do in a day. She boldly assured me that was not the case.  “If I write things down and stick it somewhere in plain sight, I’m more apt to complete the task. What I don’t finish, I move to the top of the list for the next day,” she explained.

It sounded like a good idea, but I didn’t take it to heart until about five years ago, after she passed away.  I had been one of the last of the great procrastinators, excellent at putting things off.  I always carried my thoughts, goals and plans with me in my head. I didn’t feel the need to take the time to write things down. I had even quit making New Year’s Resolutions, because most of the time I never got past January with any of them.

Mom was a well organized person because she took the time to set daily goals, and she wrote them down.  I now also write down goals, but not on sticky notes.  I’ve come to realize that if you can get in the habit of doing this, you’ll be surprised at how much you can accomplish.  It is the fact of taking the action of writing things down that creates visualization.  Visualization paints the picture in your mind of the goal or task you want to create or complete.  Post your goals in writing and with pictures on a bulletin board. Put the board in plain sight, where you can see these goals at least three times a day.  In doing this, you will notice how it helps you stay motivated.  Then watch yourself create what will become your reality.

There are many topics to cover as we strive to goal green and live a greener lifestyle. I think of green as an action and success color.  Green symbolizes earth, nature and life. Green also means go, – or in this case goal.  It is my desire that you will join me, as we set green goals to become Earth conscious, Energy smart, and optimally Healthy, just to name some of the ways to goal for the green.

Here is a list of five inexpensive things that will help you save energy and money.

1. Compact fluorescent light bulbs: It is a fact that if every American household converted five regular light bulbs to five fluorescent bulbs, the energy saved would be equal to taking a million cars off the highway for a full year.  How is that for an ah-ha moment?

2. Outdoor Solar Lights: They don’t burn any electricity or use any CO2.

3. Programable Thermostats: A difference of just 2 degrees can reduce a homes CO2 emissions by up to 9% over the course of a year.

4. Air Filters: If you change the air filters in your heating and cooling system at least twice an year (Spring and Fall) of can knock off 2% of your homes CO2 emissions a year.  There will be less dust and chance for allergies and sickness as well.

5. Electric Hot Water Blankets: This small investment (about $18) can save you 41/2% on your power bill.