The Flash. Iron Man. Superman.
Silver Surfer.
It's no coincidence that some of our culture's most popular superheroes—the ones kids dream of being—are also among the fastest. Speed is power, their stories teach us. And you don't need to be equipped with a remote-controlled Mark XLII exoskeleton to appreciate why. When you take action without hesitation, you're better able to pull your boss's ass out of the fire, sweep a beauty off her feet, or shake off the side effects of those tequila shots your knucklehead buddy ordered at closing time last night. And these days, such skills are critical—because you don't have a minute to waste.
It's no coincidence that some of our culture's most popular superheroes—the ones kids dream of being—are also among the fastest. Speed is power, their stories teach us. And you don't need to be equipped with a remote-controlled Mark XLII exoskeleton to appreciate why. When you take action without hesitation, you're better able to pull your boss's ass out of the fire, sweep a beauty off her feet, or shake off the side effects of those tequila shots your knucklehead buddy ordered at closing time last night. And these days, such skills are critical—because you don't have a minute to waste.
"We're more starved for time
than ever before," says Jan Yager, Ph.D., the author of Work Less, Do More. "Even with
all the apps and services designed to help us save time, people are feeling
pressured to do more and more with fewer resources." The Flash may not
rush to your rescue, but thankfully, our army of experts can help. Read on and
prepare to speed past your problems.
Slip out of a holiday party
Preset an Excuse
Tell the host you have a competing commitment when you RSVP, says Jacqueline Whitmore of the Protocol School of Palm Beach.
Take the Scenic Route
Show up about 30 minutes after the party starts, unless it's a sit-down dinner. Most guests will have arrived by then and you'll be seen.
Pull a Disappearing Act
At larger gatherings, you can simply "ghost"—as long as you thank the host the next day, says Patricia Rossi, author of Everyday Etiquette.
Tell the host you have a competing commitment when you RSVP, says Jacqueline Whitmore of the Protocol School of Palm Beach.
Take the Scenic Route
Show up about 30 minutes after the party starts, unless it's a sit-down dinner. Most guests will have arrived by then and you'll be seen.
Pull a Disappearing Act
At larger gatherings, you can simply "ghost"—as long as you thank the host the next day, says Patricia Rossi, author of Everyday Etiquette.
Keep moving in a huge crowd
1. Play Land Shark
Raise your hand above your head as if you're going to karate-chop something, and hold it there as you walk. When people see your "fin," they'll be more inclined to get out of the way.
Raise your hand above your head as if you're going to karate-chop something, and hold it there as you walk. When people see your "fin," they'll be more inclined to get out of the way.
Keep moving in a huge crowd
2. Head into Traffic
People in crowds are never evenly spread out. You can always find patches of open space available. Set a course through these areas, even if that course ends up being circuitous.
People in crowds are never evenly spread out. You can always find patches of open space available. Set a course through these areas, even if that course ends up being circuitous.
Keep moving in a huge crowd
3. Ride the Shoulder
Most people stick to the middle. They think it gives them a choice of which way to go. But you are not like most people. You're decisive, and you've decided to stay on the left or right.
Most people stick to the middle. They think it gives them a choice of which way to go. But you are not like most people. You're decisive, and you've decided to stay on the left or right.
Keep moving in a huge crowd
4. Plan a Collision
When people avoid obstructions, they leave a less dense "wake" in the crowd. These are your openings. Capitalize on them. Just try to avoid actually walking into that pillar or post.
(Speaking of walking, learn What Your Walking Style Says about You.)
When people avoid obstructions, they leave a less dense "wake" in the crowd. These are your openings. Capitalize on them. Just try to avoid actually walking into that pillar or post.
(Speaking of walking, learn What Your Walking Style Says about You.)
No comments:
Post a Comment