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I’m back!

Oh hello everyone. It’s been a long while, but I’m back and eager to share my personal development story! I came a long way from working on my professional development skills, which helped me in business, to personal development, which allowed me to fully realize my potential and became truly happy and fulfilled. Stay tuned for more insights 😉

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Dream, Have a Plan, Have Courage

Make a step towards your dream, and that moment will be rewarding already. Be courageous to follow your dreams.

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Continuous Improvement

“Many people aren't into the idea of continuous improvement. So they’re working in the company, maybe they've been there for 10 or 15 years, but instead of having 15 years of experience, they really have only 1 year of experience, repeated 15 times.” Stephen M.R. Covey

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Radical Mentoring

"People don't grow if you're soft with them." Candice Carpenter, CEO of iVillage #RadicalMentoring

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My #epic workplace this morning. #productivityredefined (at Black Dragon Cafe)

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Why Is Electricity in North Carolina So Cheap?

North Carolina is starting to see a solar farm building boom, but that boom hasn’t extended to houses. Earlier this week, we asked a simple question: If North Carolina’s tax credits on solar panels are among the best in the nation, why don’t more homes in North Carolina have solar panels on them? The easy answer seems to be that electricity here is already relatively cheap compared to a lot of Northeastern states, along with California and Hawaii (where residential solar installations are, pardon the pun, through the roof). Where power is more expensive, people look for alternatives. When it’s cheap, they don’t. So what’s the state of solar in the Carolinas, and why don’t we pay much for power? We asked Duke Energy spokesman Randy Wheeless several questions via email:

-Jeremy Markovich

NBC Charlotte: Why are rates in North Carolina so low?

Randy Wheeless, Duke Energy: Every state is governed by a utility commission that has different regulatory philosophies -  and many states have different laws about how energy markets should work. Plus, different utilities over the years have pursued various strategies. Add it up and rates are different all over the nation (just like gasoline prices). Our attractive electricity prices are a benefit to North Carolina.

NBC Charlotte: If I put 1 kWh of power back out on the grid from the solar panels from my house, will Duke credit me the same amount that I’d have to pay for USING 1 kWh?

Wheeless: Correct. Called net metering, this is how it works in North Carolina. Our only issue with net metering is that Duke Energy can buy solar power from other sources cheaper (like big solar farms) Plus, the homeowner is selling us power on their schedule – not when we need it or want it. A lot of states are looking at the issue to make sure solar customers aren’t being subsidized by non-solar customers — paying less for the upkeep of the electric grid. Because solar customers still depend on the grid. The issue is still small. Only 1,700 customers do net metering in North Carolina.

NBC Charlotte: How close is Duke from meeting the renewable energy requirements that North Carolina has set?

Wheeless: We’re on track. With so much activity in North Carolina, we have many options to increase our renewable portfolio in the state.

NBC Charlotte: Are there any plans to renew the expiring solar tax credit (35%, capped at $10,500) past December 2015?

Wheeless: It’s something for the legislature to decide. I’m sure they’re people on both sides of the issue.

NBC Charlotte: South Carolina’s state senate has passed a law changing the way that state deals with solar panels. What changes would come about if it becomes law?

As you know, South Carolina doesn’t have the attractive incentives like North Carolina. So they are behind when it comes to solar development. This bill will help:

 ·         Allows solar leasing by non-utilities in South Carolina. This makes it less expensive originally for people to go solar at home - leasing instead of buying.

 ·         Directs the Public Service Commission (PSC) to update net metering rules to make it fairer for all involved.

 ·         Allows utilities to file a plan with the PSC to invest in or purchase renewable energy generation.

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Some people predicted social networks in 2002

Anton Vartanov, a Russian rock-start and the former leader of "Mangnetic Anomaly" rock-band pretty much predicted back in 2002 that social networks will dominate the world in his song (translating) "There are no Trees Around us": “…And again someone translates all my feeling to numbers. Would a laser read them, would a human mind understand them…”. Should all of us fully embrace them and make all reality digital?

Original in Russian:

"Нет вокруг нас деревьев", Магнитная аномалия, 2002:

"[...] И  все мои чувства кто-то 

Опять переводит в цифры,

Разве прочтет их лазер, 

Разве поймет их разум [...]"

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Neglecting the Heart Dimension in an Organization

What happens when you neglect the heart? What happens when there is no passion, no emotional connection to the goals or work? No internal volunteer enthusiasm or commitment inside the organization? The result is the profound disempowerment of the people. The whole culture is in the funk[...] You will find a great deal of moonlighting, daydreaming, boredom, escapism, anger, fear, apathy and also malicious obedience, where people will go through the motions and just don't care whether it works or not, or not want it to work.

- Stephen R. Covey 

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Assumptions to Live by...

"I have also found that by making four simple assumptions in our lives we can immediately begin leading a more balanced, integrated, powerful life. They are simple–one for each part of our nature–but I promise you that if you do them consistently, you will find a new wellspring of strength and integrity to draw on when you need it most. 1) For the body–assume you've had a heart attack; now live accordingly. 2) For the mind–assume the half-life of your profession is two years; now prepare accordingly. 3) For the heart–assume everything you say about another, they can overhear; now speak accordingly. 4) For the spirit–assume you have a one-on-one visit with your Creator every quarter; now live accordingly."

Stephen R. Covey

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Self-awareness

The range of what we think and do is limited by what we fail to notice. And because we fail to notice that we fail to notice, there is little we can do to change; until we notice how failing to notice shapes our thoughts and deeds.

R. D. Laing quoted by Stephen R. Covey