My Best Advice List

We had funk, bubble-gum rock, more funk, the Carpenters AND Donnie and Marie? “Free Bird” by Lynyrd Skynyrd was No. 19! Honorable mentions go to “Your Bulldog Drinks Champagne” by Jim Stafford (No. 25) and “Kung Fu Fighting” by Carl Douglas (No. 43).

Best-of lists are great, because they stimulate memories, morphing us back to a place in time.

My best-of lists, on the other hand, typically aim to improve efficiencies. That’s because I’m a fixer, doling out advice when no one asks for it. I can be annoying that way.

For example, I began observing dry January six years ago, before it became a big to-do. This year, Rene joined me in my annual post-holiday detox. What helps get me through it? Drinking non-alcoholic beverages out of wine glasses.

On that note, here are some other productivity tips that help me maintain maximum efficiency and achieve my goals.

• Ask for advice, not a meeting.
  When I want to meet with someone I barely know.

• Put your non-dominant hand to use.
  To stay alert and stimulate a part of my brain that doesn’t typically get used.

• Establish clear expectations.
  To avoid being vague and misunderstood.

• Make laser-focused eye contact.
  Those unable to maintain eye contact during in-person conversations make me doubt their trust and sincerity. If this happens, ask if the situation or conversation is making the person you are communicating with uncomfortable.

• Get to the point quickly and succinctly.
  I have up to seven seconds to make a memorable first impression.

• Write it down.
  There are notepads and pencils scattered throughout our house in the event I don’t have my phone. Why pencils? You can write with a pencil and notepad on a vertical surface (tip from one of my college journalism professors).