Andy Lykens

A common method for heating a cold car is cranking the dial on the temperature to full red, and blasting the fan on its highest setting.

But if your destination dictates you drive for more than a few minutes the car soon becomes uncomfortably warm, and then you need to adjust to an extreme in the opposite direction. You end up taking 1 step forward and 1 step back until you land somewhere in the middle.

Work can feel the same way; an extreme amount of effort at the beginning of a big project can lead to having to compensate by back pedaling in the other direction.

Try keeping things regulated. Put the temperature dial close to the middle, and keep the fan at a medium speed. Acknowledge that your work will take more than a few minutes and accept that your project may be slightly slower to warm up, but ultimately you’ll have to make fewer major adjustments and stay more comfortable.

Here’s a simple way to invest in property: create art, then share it.

Write a poem, compose a song, paint a picture, sculpt a statue.

It will take practice, patience, self awareness, and showing up each day. You may feel frustrated, uncomfortable, afraid, excited, accomplished, acknowledged, soothed and a host of other emotions.

You will exercise your mind, convey a message, create something from your unique perspective, and share a small piece of yourself.

And you will own a piece of intellectual property.

Do this enough and you may own a small neighborhood.

One day the market in your neighborhood may even start to rise.

All you have to do is begin.

If you want a useful restaurant recommendation it’s important to ask someone you trust and make sure they know you’re lactose intolerant, love spicy food, and will be in New York City in May.

Most people do the opposite when they ask questions at work: it’s more like they’re asking their best friend where to get dinner tonight – there’s a lot that doesn’t need to be said and pre-existing knowledge and experience with exactly this problem.

At work this method causes back and forth, even more email, and extra time.

When asking for help from busy people, or from people who’s attention is important to you, don’t overlook asking your question directly and don’t forget to give them the information they need. That will help them help you fastest.

This is also why people prefer handling things over the phone or in person – it ensures they can have an efficient conversation, help decipher next steps, and move on (and have a trimmer inbox to boot).