11. Settle the nerves

If you wake due to stress and can’t fall asleep, do a chore like emptying/reloading the dishwasher or putting away the laundry. You’ll burn off your frustration and be able to settle your nerves with a sense of accomplishment.

12. Cut the softness

Refrain from using fabric softener on your socks; it lessens the absorption causing them to wear out at a much faster rate. Same goes for towels!

13. Candid camera

When a stranger asks you to take a photo of a group, take several before and during the “3 2 1” countdown.  Basically, just click the button from the time you get the phone through the final shot. People tend to appreciate the candid moments more than the staged ones. If nothing else, it gives them something to talk about later on. Of course… take the final one as well.

14. Fancy feast

If you’re reduced to eating ramen so you can pay rent, as I often am, go to the Asian market or at least the Asian aisle in your market. The packages generally come with much more interesting seasonings that do a lot for the flavor of the soup and making you feel “fancy”.

15. “Fair enough”

Saying “fair enough” defuses almost any tension or conflict that can otherwise lead to an argument.

16. Repeat offender

When meeting someone for the first time, try and use their name as early as possible. For example – ‘Nice to meet you, [Name]’. You’ll have a greater chance at recalling their name and will feel more confident in addressing them, thereby earning their respect.

I know it sounds like a no-brainer, but I see this happen all the time and I’ve certainly experienced it myself. The only thing worse than saying, “I’m sorry, what was your name again?” is having someone say it to you. People like hearing their own name, especially from someone they’ve just met. Make a habit of saying their name in subsequent sentences and you won’t go wrong.

17. Tasteful

Try foods that you hated as a kid. Your taste buds change every 7 years, and you might find that you enjoy most of the foods you once disliked.

While I still dislike the smell of most of these foods, they taste delicious to me now. Don’t just smell and dismiss them. I disliked brussles sprouts, apricots, dried fruit, etc, and now in my early 30’s I recently tried and love all of those things.

 

18. Perspective

Instead of asking others if they “know” a subject, ask them if they’re “familiar with” it; people are less likely to feel challenged by the latter phrasing (and as a result, more likely to answer honestly).

No: “Do you know anything about The Wiggles?” or “Do you know the Pythagorean theorem?”

Yes: “Are you familiar with The Wiggles?” or “Are you familiar with the Pythagorean theorem?”

19. Practice small

For people pleasers it can be very hard to say “no” and it is easy to get taken advantage of. Practice by saying no to small things that don’t matter much. It will make it easier to say when it really counts.

20. Plan ahead

If you don’t have a great relationship with your landlord, before submitting an application for a new apartment have someone you know call and ask for a reference. You can find out before hand what they will say about you and address anything negative with the prospective landlord proactively.

21. No Ass out of You and Me

When training someone new, do not assume they know things. Go over everything unless they tell you specifically that they already know it.