Light Bulbs

My Light Bulb Testimony

By

Mike Thompson

A little more than 4 years ago I decided to do my own energy efficient light bulb experiment. While my goal was to save money, I really wanted to see if they work and how much electricity lights actually used in regards to electric bills. I have to admit after seeing the results I was shocked.

After my roommate not having much interest in energy efficient light bulbs I decided to switch bulbs in my half of the apartment. About a month later my roommate excitingly notified me that our electric bill dropped $80 to $60. He asked if that’s all I did to get the costs down. When I told him “yes,” he quickly and wisely decided to switch bulbs on his half the apartment. To our pleasant surprise, the next month our electric bill dropped another $20 to $40!

Yes, you heard right! In 2 months our electric bill was literally cut in half by simply switching to energy efficient bulbs. Since then I have been an unofficial energy efficient light bulb advocate, telling everyone I hear complain about high electricity prices to switch and save. Unfortunate for the environment and their pocketbook, not everyone is willing to listen. 

Some say they don’t light the color of light or the slow increase in brightness when you first turn them on. Others say they’ll wait until their old bulbs burnout before switching because they don’t want to be wasteful but none these arguments make sense. 

Energy efficient bulbs come in different colors, even the traditional yellow that your eyes are used to. The bulbs taking a little longer to warm up is irrelevant because they give off more than enough light to do whatever you need to do. Waiting for your old bulbs to burnout before switching is silly. While you may not be wasting your old light bulbs, you are definitely wasting your hard earned cash and not doing your part to alleviate an ever increasing global energy shortage.

According to Charles Fishman, in a 2006 article on CFL’s published by Fast Company said:

”if every one of 110 million American households bought just one ice-cream-cone bulb, took it home, and screwed it in the place of an ordinary 60-watt bulb, the energy saved would be enough to power a city of 1.5 million people. One bulb swapped out, enough electricity saved to power all the homes in Delaware and Rhode Island. In terms of oil not burned, or greenhouse gases not exhausted into the atmosphere, one bulb is equivalent to taking 1.3 million cars off the roads.”

So what are you waiting for?

Do your part and start saving cash right away by switching to energy efficient bulbs today!

Article Link

Book Review Link

I'm currently listening to the audio book titled, Switch: How to Change Things When Change is Hard, by Dan & Chip Heath. Although this book is categorized for business, I recommend it for everyone due to the fact that it is very well written and loaded with simple and practical insights that can help improve any life.

When searching for more information I stumbled upon a review from USA Today that provides a clear snapshot of what the Heath's do in this book. If you're interested in learning more about change, check out the review, this book may offer the insight you're looking for.

Go to the book review...

Frogger

What Frogger Can Teach Us About Opportunity

By

Mike Thompson

“Jumping at several small opportunities may get us there more quickly than waiting for one big one to come along.” -Hugh Allen

In the classic 1981 arcade game Frogger, players must navigate frogs through opposing lanes of dense traffic and a crocodile filled river to the safety of an empty lily pad at the top of the screen. Timing is crucial as each position presents itself with distinct challenges and opportunities. Players must quickly discern the next couple potential maneuvers in order to avoid the pitfalls of an ever-changing environment and to enjoy the comfort and security they’re seeking after in the lily pad. 

Much like a player of Frogger, a person may be able to navigate through bleak and highly competitive market conditions to their desired place of security by taking advantage of several small opportunities rather than waiting for one big one. In fact, mirroring a vision with an unbalanced long-term focus, a decision to sit and wait for a clear path from start to finish can quickly become fatal. What often prevents us from seizing an opportunity is failing to recognize it while it’s available.

American Icon Mark Twain once said, “I was seldom able to see an opportunity until it had ceased to be one.” I believe this happens to opportunity seekers for one of two main reasons.

One, we are looking in the wrong place in the wrong time. When it comes to recognizing opportunities, short-term vision is crucial and timing is everything. Yes we need to have a long-term vision but if you get caught looking too far ahead at the wrong time you can easily miss what’s right in front of you. These types of opportunities are priceless because they can potentially position you for bigger doors that may soon open.

Two, we fail to find the treasure in what seems to be less desirable opportunities. Thomas Edison said, “Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.” As we look for that golden life-changing door to swing open we have to keep in mind that it may take a smaller, less desirable one to open it. Sure no one wants to work in a mail room, take the time to volunteer, or go through the hassle of joining a trade organization but these kinds of opportunities position and propel you into new networks that can potentially open more doors than you can walk through.

Are you still waiting for that one big break today?

Then stop waiting and start pursuing! 

Changing the way you look at opportunities will change the number of opportunities you see. Remember, just like Frogger, every move you make will provide a different viewpoint with its’ own distinct challenges and opportunities. Sitting and waiting in bleak, highly competitive and ever-changing market conditions too long can leave you road kill but flowing with continuous short-term strategic movement can be a more effective of way of getting you to that desired place of security in less time.