I'm GREEN!

Just wanted to share the news that I have now received NAR's GREEN Designation awarded by the Green REsource Council. After taking a number of courses on green principals in construction, smart-growth, water efficiency and conservation, practicing social responsibility, waste management and recycling and more, I am now offically "GREEN" - so they say.

But here's the glitch. AM I GREEN? I ask myself whether I am actually practicing social responsibility with respect to our environment in and out of my home. I have always been the light switch nazi in my household - running around turning off lights behind everyone, but I have come to know that there is so much more than can and should be done.

I have stocked up on reuseable grocery bags now. The challenge is now remembering to bring them into the store so that I don't have to keep buying more of them! But it goes on. while waiting for the hot water, should I save the cold that comes out first? What should I do with it?

Should I unplug (not just turn off) all of my gadgets every night? Should I start doing laundry at night instead of during the day (there is a reason that this is beneficial to the environment). Should I run out and replace every light bulb with CFC bulbs? The list goes on and on and on.

So I realized that many people probably feel like I do. How far is too far? How dedicated do you become before people think you are just obsessive or have OCD about the whole thing? Just how much can I reasonably do?

As an environmental science major, social responsibility for the environment has been something I have studied for over 20+ years now. But my focus was so much bigger during my course of studies and in the career that followed. I have seen the damage done by mining operations and other large-scale commercial impacts but I had never really thought about our collective impacts as individuals. However, it is just that - the collective "little things" that we all do every day when we make choices as to how we live - that significantly impacts our enviroment and depletes our natual resources as well. Why is it always up to someone else to figure it out, solve the problem, or make the better choices. We each have a responsibility to do what we can.

So, I have realized that I cannot eat this elephant all at once just because someone gave me a title. My commitment then is to do one thing consistently until it becomes a habit and then add something else. Little by little, I hope to TRULY earn my new GREEN designation, not because I took a few classes but because I truly practice being green every day of my life.

Well, I'm off to the store with my reuseable grocery bags! Oh boy...I may need to buy a hybrid vehicle!

Social Media Mind Bender

After engaging in two days of heavy social networking while preparing for a presentation on the subject, my eyes have now glazed over and my head is spinning. I believe that I have a social networking hangover. The layers of this social networking onion just keep coming and coming - and my eyes are watering! Just when I think I have something all figured out, I realize that there is something more I could do - or something more that I can't figure out!

This Wednesday, I will stand in front of a room full of RE/MAX agents (at least I hope someone shows up) and will talk about social networking for business like I know something about it. The funny thing is that I thought I did know something. I'm a facebook user, among other sites. I'm on LinkedIn. Yadda, yadda, yadda.

Well, as I started really digging into these tools and checking out some folks who really know how to put them to work I was blown away! There is so much more that can be done.

Here are a few revelations I have had regarding social networking for business:

1. It's here to stay! If you resist, the joke is on you. Might as well jump in with both feet and try to enjoy the cyber-ride!

2. The time to start using social networking tools is NOW. More and more, companies and individuals are looking to social networking as their means of communication. Want to send out a mass text message? Twitter. Want to send pictures of your latest vacation to all your friends and family? Post them on Facebook. Want to search for a job? Check out LinkedIn.

3. It's fun. I used to view social networking as a chore. But the more I use it, the more fun it has become.

4. BEWARE of social network addiction! Time management is a must! Linking twitter and facebook to your cell phone is a great way to send updates daily without getting sucked into the vortex when you really should be doing something else!

5. Social networking for real estate is, in my opinion, still in its early stages so it's not too late to get started. But I do believe it will become more and more important as a tool used by the savy real estate professional. Snooze too long and you might lose!

6. Get personal! Go ahead and share what you did today or that you are a STEELERS fan! (Hey, who wouldn't be?!) Getting personal makes you and your posts more interesting.

7. DON'T get PRIVATE. Personal does not equal PRIVATE. Keep it clean. Don't post anything that you wouldn't feel comfortable letting ANYONE read.

So, just go for it. Pick your favorite site and get started. Understand that each one has it's own unique flavor. For example, LinkedIn is much more business-minded than Facebook. Don't forget to have some fun!

Business may or may not come from your networking on these sites but your market presence and ties to your sphere of influence will definitely improve.

Well, I'm off to tweet!