I recently wrote about how I think the early years in someone’s career should be focused on learning skills rather than short-term rewards. There’s a further distinction that I’d like to make. Learning a transferable skill is valuable (that’s partly why I’m in a business development role now). But the extraordinary value comes when that …

When we first get into the work world, there’s a natural tendency to go for the big salaries and the fancy jobs. I definitely see the allure given the contrast to the poor college kid life, but I see the first few years after college a bit differently. I like making money and I like …

If you haven’t before, try listening to one song on repeat while working. It might sound counterintuitive, but I’ve found it helps to put me in the zone better than just about any other technique I’ve tried. Just pick an upbeat song with a repetitive beat and understated lyrics, put it on repeat, and get …

When I first started doing work around the house, I wanted everything to be perfect. I was so worried about leaving a gap along the edge of a piece of trim, or tile, that I almost inevitably cut the parts too long the first time and was forced to spend extraordinary amounts of time trying …

It takes three of the paper towels in my work bathroom to dry hands. Depending on how those three paper towels are used, the washer’s hands will either end up bone-dry or almost dripping wet. The instinct is to crumple the paper towels into a big ball, and use them all at once. But that …

The story has it that on the night of the mission that led to Osama bin Laden’s death, then-President Barack Obama was at a social event, acting no different than he would on a typical night. While one of the major undercover military events in America’s history was ongoing, the Commander in Chief was able …

I’ve found that it’s almost impossible to accurately predict how a meeting will play out. Regardless of how much preparation is done, almost inevitably something happens during the meeting that derails the plan. Some people struggle with this. They try to rigidly stick to their initial plan at the expense of catering to the interests …

One of the simplest pieces of advice that I got when starting out in a business role was, “We don’t want to be hard to work with.” It’s obvious, but there are so many ways that companies screw this up. I’ve seen restaurants that won’t let their customers move tables a few inches so their …

A well-known business book called Good to Great highlights the decisions made by a few select companies on their journey from being good companies to becoming “great.” It’s an interesting read, and when read through the right lens it can offer some potentially useful insights into business strategy. But all of the accolades and praise around …

For most cutting activities, the safest method is to use a large, sharp blade and to keep your off-hand close to, or even touching, the knife blade. Which is the exact opposite of what you’d expect. A small paring knife doesn’t seem as scary as a 10″ chef’s knife. But when used properly, the tip …