What's your secret?

January 8, 2008 9:37 AM

How do you do it? What's your secret?

People are supposedly always looking for the "secret." What's your secret that helps you better do something personal, professional, or social?

Another way to pose this question would be what is something you explicitly do to improve your performance in personal, professional or social life? For me it's GTD — for you it might be something much better.

posted by mikespez to society & culture (13 comments total)

It used to be that I added a little bit of olive oil to the pizza dough mix.

Now it's that I try to identify people with working practises that I admire, and I try to emulate them.

To be fair, the olive oil in the pizza dough is a safer bet.
posted by Jofus at 9:41 AM on January 8, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

Every time I'm afraid to do something (or write something or talk to someone) because it won't come out perfect, I think about Ze Frank's advice on brain crack: "But somebody who does something bad three times still has three times the experience of that other person who's still dreaming of all the applause. When I get an idea, even a bad one, I try to get it out into the world as fast as possible."
posted by Plutor at 9:45 AM on January 8, 2008 [4 favorites has favorites]

I make clear requests for information. I am specific. I avoid making assumptions about others' knowledge of acronyms.
posted by Mister_A at 9:46 AM on January 8, 2008 [5 favorites has favorites]

Pardon me sounding like a shill, but I use a BlackBerry. Professionally and personally its made all the difference for me, with time management, task management, and communications. Some people hate them because they are 'tethered' but I think it gives me flexibility to not always have to be in my office.

I also get my gas at Costco and always order from the Dollar Menu. And there is a sweet shortcut through the JW Marriott resort that saves me about 3 minutes each way on my commute. I've also heard good things about Geico.
posted by uaudio at 9:46 AM on January 8, 2008

I always buy the absolute best condiments I can afford. I don't always get the most expensive cuts of meet or the freshest, most exotic vegetables, but I eat well knowing that my cheapass entrees are getting the best possible assistance.
posted by stupidsexyFlanders at 9:47 AM on January 8, 2008

I work like a dog, then I work some more.
posted by gadha at 9:49 AM on January 8, 2008

When it comes down to making out, whenever possible, I put on side one of Led Zeppelin IV.
posted by bondcliff at 9:52 AM on January 8, 2008 [5 favorites has favorites]

Be confident but not arrogant, direct but not rude, and considerate but not a doormat. Life is a balancing act.
posted by rachelpapers at 9:52 AM on January 8, 2008 [2 favorites has favorites]

Not being afraid of looking stupid by asking about what's unclear until it becomes clear. Once you get over that fear, you realize that most of the times you were afraid of it, it was never going to happen anyway. Now I'm hearing back from people that I'm a source of clarity and understanding for them, and it's almost entirely due to conquering this one fear.
posted by Pliskie at 9:53 AM on January 8, 2008

I flag it and move on.
posted by amro at 9:54 AM on January 8, 2008 [4 favorites has favorites]

I always buy the absolute best condiments I can afford. I don't always get the most expensive cuts of meet or the freshest, most exotic vegetables, but I eat well knowing that my cheapass entrees are getting the best possible assistance.

Along with this, we try to buy the best kitchen tools we can. And never try to substitute butter. If it calls for butter, use butter.

With the children, getting them onto a bedtime routine has been solid gold. Six children under 9 and our evenings (~8:30-11:30) are free and clear, every night*.

Pay off all unsecured debt and shred the cards.

* excepting illnesses, holidays and such
posted by jquinby at 9:55 AM on January 8, 2008

get enough fruits, vegetables, and sleep. I haven't been doing this lately and it shows.
posted by heeeraldo at 9:56 AM on January 8, 2008

The harder I work the luckier I get.
posted by Kangaroo at 9:56 AM on January 8, 2008 [2 favorites has favorites]