Fluorescent Prices May Go Higher As Rare Earth Supply Constricts

Rare Earth Elements - UPDATE

Despite recent price increases in fluorescent bulbs by most lighting companies, the industry may still have yet to feel the true impact of the current Rare Earth Element supply crisis. In the last six months, the cost of production has increased more than threefold; if refined elements grow more scarce, it can be expected to rise a possible 4.5 times over today's price in the next twelve months. Restricted exports, a shortage of operational mines in the west, and a delay in the opening of what is expected to be one of the world's largest processing plants can only serve to make further price increases a very real possibility.

Unconfirmed reports surfaced last month stating that one of the top lighting companies had in fact exhausted its supply of T8 fluorescents. While that report remains unsubstantiated, it cannot be argued that a shortage of some significance exists. Restocking is almost certain to be a long and expensive process as the price and scarcity of Rare Earth Elements remain at or near peak record levels.

Feel free to print out the downloaded article to give to your customers.  It will be a great help to explain the inevitable price increases. 

Mornings are always hard and especially so when you're facing a really busy day. But today your life is about to get a little easier because five things are about to go away.

Yes, I'm giving you permission to eliminate 5 things from today's list.

"What?" You're thinking. "I have 10 different things I need done yesterday. I'm far too busy to let anything go."

Well slow down. You may find that you can create a more realistic to-do list that focuses only on what really needs to get done.

Here's the trick: Make a list of everything that must get done. Now, eliminate five items using one of these five methods:

1. Delegate it: There is usually someone better suited than a busy you to handle the task. The key is to not spend a lot of time micromanaging... just ask nicely, establish your expectations, give a timeline, check-in once to see how it's going, and take responsibility for the outcome.
2. Reschedule it: One of the tasks on your list can certainly be done another day over the next month. Open your planner and choose a day when you'll be able to focus your time and energies to it, and give it the proper amount of attention.
3. Combine it: Two tasks on your list may require similar action. Kill two birds with one stone by getting them both done inn for two minutes and evaluate your day.  the same process. An easy example is combining your shopping and gas errands.
4. Save it: Put one of your tasks on a "someday" list, and do it another day when you can devote more time. This is a great way to pause (but not forget) a personal activity such as a hobby that you haven't completely decided on. Just don't put your dreams on hold too long!
5. Delete it: Face it. One task on your list just isn't that important right now. Cross it off. It will return one day if and when it's important enough.

Look, I get it. Human nature implores you to bite off more than you can chew. There's only so much time in the day and people almost always tend to overestimate the time they have available. This is especially true when you don't leave room for the unexpected.

Eliminating 5 tasks is a good way to keep yourself honest, and in the habit of planning your time carefully and conservatively.

Now go have a great day! 

RRe-published from Day-Timer Blog.