1. Honesty is the best policy. Just. Tell. The. Truth. Don't pussyfoot around. If there's a problem, be straightforward about it. I have always had trouble with this and tend to sneak around issues, sugarcoat things, cover them up, in a frustrating and never-ending attempt to convince everyone around me that everything is hunky dory, all of the time. The thing is, shit goes wrong on occasion. Things go off the rails, and rather than wasting time coming up with flowery excuses which people can spot from a mile away, sometimes a good old fashioned chit-chat is actually your best bet. Which ties into...
2. Don't come to someone with a problem. Present a solution. Don't say, "This isn't going to work." Say, "This isn't going to work, BUT THIS MIGHT." Even if it's not the perfect fix, it's a starting place. People like knowing you're trying to help them, not just fuck up their day with your bad news and then slink off to let them figure things out on their own.
3. That thing you've been putting off? The thing that's been making you feel physically ill all day, that you've been dreading? Just do it. Cross it off your list and move on. You will feel so much better once it's behind you. The lead up is always way worse than the actual task.
4. Pick your battles.
5. Respect your free time. If you pride yourself on being available 24/7, that's fine - just understand that people are going to expect you to be available 24/7.
6. If you don't know the answer, ask. Don't pretend to know everything. A, people know when you're bullshitting, and 9 times out of 10 they will call you out on it. B, you save yourself the embarrassment and hassle of having to backpedal with the actual correct information down the road. You don't have to know everything. You just have to be able to find out everything. There is a difference.
7. Going to the gym at lunch is better than that second third fourth cup of coffee.
