Coping with Change
I was reading a post on an email list that focuses on personal improvement and NLP that discussed change. The post was discussing the mental attributes that people need to have to face change. I thought the advice sounded fairly pat, in that everyone stresses things like flexibility, yet they always seem to lack practical examples. Well, I think one area that we are seeing big changes is in our energy supply, particularly oil. What changes do you think are on the horizon, and what are you planning for? For me, I really think that there will be serious alternatives to gasoline in 5 to 10 years. I honestly don't plan on buying any new cars (though perhaps a used car that I don't plan on recouping the cost on). I'm also kicking around looking into the energy field in general, as I think there's some possible room for overlap with telecom when it comes to large scale planning. Just some idle thoughts.
Comments
Aaron,
An extended family member of mine has provided some direction as to what the new energy will be. Things are starting to ramp up and turn in that direction.
Oil is on the decline but will always be essential.
After receiving my Certified Six Sigma Black Belt I plan on establishing an alternative fuel business. If you are interested I would like to throw ideas back and forth with you. The Inner Circle is the perfect incubator, every mind you need to grow a successful business is right here - synergy beyond compare.
Michael Christian Neumann
Six Sigma and Lean Consulting
A very interesting blog post on energy and GW. Points out the idiocy of the Gore approach and the value of innovative technology...
http://boomerang.blogs.com/optimist/2008/06/five-ways-to-fi.html
Rob
www.corporateveilpro.com
My next vehicle will likely be a hybrid that has at least one other energy source (when we were in Brazil some cars had three choices). We now go into town only once a week instead of 2-3 times; I fill up once or twice a month instead of the former once or twice a week; we use geothermal for heating/cooling and are looking into wind turbines and solar power for our home.
On the flip side, I buy energy stocks in my portfolio.
Sue
* more telecommuting/working from home
* more marriages/living together to save on expenses, some of which will be energy
* windmill thingies on our ROOFs like satellite tv dishes.
* communal living of families like families from India and the Latin American countries already do, Western caucasion families will, too, as well.
* bike riding commonplace in US like it is in China
* walking downtown when you live near there in the burbs
* more See's chocolate will be consumed (fantastic chocolate, just testing to see if you're paying attention... lol!)
All the best,
April Braswell
Romance Coaching Expert, Dating Advise and Tips
I have a different take on the energy crisis than you do as I do not believe there is going to be an effective substitute for oil in the next few years. I believe we are going to have to adapt to a new energy reality by restructuring some of the main aspects of our lives to live in a high energy cost environment.
Steps I have already implemented:
- I relocated my residence to a central location within my sales territory to reduce the amount of miles I need to drive visiting customers and clients.
-In selecting a home I purposefully chose a location that was within walking distance of almost all essential services. From Friday until Monday I rarely have to drive as I can easily walk to the grocery store, butcher, beach, bars, nightclubs and restaurants.
- I am also within walking distance of a rail station and use it to efficiently travel both for work and fun. I can ride the train to the horse races in the summer or to work up in Los Angeles during the work week. I have always tried to live within easy distance of a rail network...now I do.
- I drive old used cars that are cheap. Buying a newer vehicle that gets better gas mileage actually costs more since you need to figure in the cost of the car plus interest into the operating cost. I like hybrids, but the 100,000 mile life of the battery freaks me out. I will wait for the technology to be further developed and improved
- I am buying a Vespa to increase my range on the weekends at a very low fuel cost. Plus parking and traffic will be easier.
- The idea behind this whole internet thing is to transition into a career that I can work at from any location in the world. The idea is, like Kevin, to have minimal need for my car or to travel.
Okay, that was long winded, but it shows my adherence to the "Implementation is everything" philosophy. I made a judgment call a few years ago that oil was going to rise in price and, looking at the current technology, there was not going to be an equivalent substitute for quite some time. I chose to start restructuring my life in light of that forecast. Technology may give us a Deus Ex Machina to Peak Oil, but that is not the way to bet. Regardless, I am covered in either eventuality.
Steve Chambers
One of the reasons I live in the city is I'm walking distance from just about everything I'd want to do. If I want to go to a restuarant, I can walk there. If I want to see a concert, I can walk there. If I'm in the mood to go to a nightclub, there's quite a few I can walk to.
Several years ago, I stopped in at an open house for a downtown condo. I met a retired couple that lived in the condominium, and they were checking out the open house for a friend. They talked about how much they loved being able to walk everywhere as opposed to the suburbs, where they had to drive. When they moved to the city, they got rid of their car.
That was well before the recent jump in oil prices.
Scott A Bell
Someone please tell me when the substitue arrives.
Lisa McLellan
www.babysittingworld.com
I've heard a few knowledgeable people say they think there will be a viable alternative to oil in the next few years. But I'm sort of pessimistic about this. I do believe the pinch will increase the fervor to find one, but as to how soon....?
Jennifer Skinner
Wardrobe Planning Expert