Before I step back onto my green soapbox, I would like to share some kernels of wisdom that I recently uncovered and that have become wired into my DNA. In times like these, when adversity seems to have camped outside all our office doors, I found these kernels poignant reminders that remodeling is a profession of dedication, determination, perseverance and bold action.

• Doubt: Set it aside; rely on your strength, character and fortitude. Be American!
  
• Future/Dreams: The best way to predict the future is to create it.
  
• Best: Your best changes with internal and external forces. Consistently do your best; know that it fluctuates. If constantly striving to exceed your best, your resources will be depleted and tomorrow will be harder.
  
• Seriousness: Don’t take yourself too seriously. Be happy, be willing to learn from mistakes (yours and others), be willing to share, and don’t let your ego get in the way of serving.
  
• Motivation: Just do your best; momentum feeds motivation.
  
• Cutting Fees: I’d rather eat macaroni and cheese with my kids
  
• Momentum: Have your own “standard” (schedule, method, sequence, process, etc.) and use it when you’re not getting started. When you are under way, be willing to adjust your standards like Calvin and Hobbes — play Calvinball.
  
• Endurance: As Dory from “Finding Nemo” says, “Just keep swimming.”

(Excerpted from the blog entry “Learning from Each Other,” November 12, 2008)

Green terminology

Now back to the green soapbox. I will try and define some of the basic terminology that helps define green design.

Life cycle: The five phases of a product’s life from materials extraction to reuse. These phases are 1) extraction of the material(s); 2) production of the product; 3) transporting the product: 4) installation of the product; and 5) life of the product.

Environmental Impact: The measure of change in the environment, be it helpful or harmful. This is the direct result of an action or series of actions.

Sustainable: Products and processes that can be renewed, thus not putting stress on the environment.

Putting it all together, it is the integration of sustainable products and processes, which can be measured through their life cycle for their total environmental impact, that defines green design.