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Every encounter with another person is an opportunity to shape that relationship. The first words out of your mouth are key in establishing the goodwill we all crave. Unfortunately, too often our opening lines damage that rapport. I once had a client who was at a conference and saw a board member she wanted to get to know. She walked up to him and blurted out, You look tired, have you been traveling? He replied, Why yes, Ive just flown in from China. She could see he was miffed by her negative comment. She admitted I dont know why I said that. It was a poor start to a relationship she hoped to develop. Below is a list of openers to avoid and suggestions for better choices. GREETINGS TO AVOID To begin with, steer clear of bland, clichéd questions that ask both too much and too little of the person youre speaking with. How are you?” This frequent greeting may be appropriate if youre sitting down for a long conversation with a good friend. There can be times when its a sign of empathy for a friend you know is going through some difficult times. But for pretty much anyone else, for casual acquaintances, or for colleagues in your office, avoid this greeting. People today are facing a host of difficulties. According to a recent report, 66% of people in todays workplace are grappling with some kind of job burnout. Meanwhile, 81% are afraid of losing their jobs. Others face issues at home. Would a colleague want to unpack their life in what is a casual or passing encounter? Not likely. So, the response is usually a nod or a cliché like, Not bad, or Okay. The person answering wont feel good about that cop out. Whats up? or SUP These greetings are common. They have the same overtones as, How are you? Only theyre slightly more flippant. Saying to someone What’s up? puts them in a position of either responding with a meaningless cliché (Not bad) or unpacking their life in what is typically a passing encounter. Few people want to do that. Hey! or Hay This is a poor choice because it is overly casual and offers nothing to the recipient. This greeting can feel offensive when directed to a friend, an acquaintance, or anyone who would expect you to offer some feeling of recognition or rapport. Saying Hey or Hay in fact borders on rudeness. My mother used to say Hay is for horses [not for humans]. Indeed this greeting creates no human connection. Also avoid greetings that carry negative baggage, and put the recipient on the defensive. Here are examples: You look tired, You dont look yourself today, or Having a rough day? These openings unintentionally insult the listener. It puts them on the defensive. If they are tired or down, you are asking them to confirm this negative assessment. If they feel better than you imply, you are demanding they defend themselves. You may think youre showing empathy, but really youre challenging the person youre speaking with. GREETINGS TO USE For a group, a friendly greeting is always appropriate. Hi [name]. Its nice to see you. When meeting someone, warm words, showing your appreciation of that person, provide an excellent start to a conversation. Using their name is another nice touch. Everyone wants to feel that someone enjoys being with them. Hi [name], thats a great tie. Everyone wants to feel that they look good! So, if someone does look good, greet them by commenting favorably on some aspect of their appearance, such as their tie. Or do a variation of it: I love your dress or that color really suits you!” You can even say I like your style. But beware that you dont comment on how attractive someone is, or that could be viewed as sexist. Congratulations on your new job. This is an excellent way to begin . . . as are work compliments of any kind. These would include happy to hear about your promotion . . . you deserve it or nice presentation at last weeks meeting. I loved reading your book. Everyone loves complimentsanother great way to go is compliment a recent accomplishment thats outside of work. Suppose youre meeting with someone who gave you a copy of their book. Theyll love hearing that you enjoyed the book. In the same way, say I loved seeing your latest article in Fast Company. Thank you for sending me those beautiful flowers. Showing gratitude for someones act of kindness is always a good idea and it provides an excellent opening to any conversation. Other such openings include (to a boss) thank you for joining our team at our recent retreat and (to a colleague) I appreciate the support youve given me in my new role. This list of greetings should alert you to the need for sensitivity in even the most casual comments. Think ahead and be kind. Everyone will cherish your sensitivity.
Category:
E-Commerce
Its not the coolest phrase in the world to utter, but here goes: I love Windows. Maybe you do too. Maybe you dont, but youre forced to use it for work. Whatever the case, for all its positives, Microsoft Windows also bundles in a handful of tools that are either bafflingly archaic or simply underpowered for the demands of the modern user. The good news? The best things in life are often free, and it’s never been easier to swap out some of Windows default bloat for great free replacements. Here are five that are worth the download. Trade File Explorer for Files The native File Explorer has received a facelift and tabs, sure, but it still feels sluggish and lacks modern organizational features, and navigating between multiple locations is still clunky. Its a glorified folder viewer. Say hello to Files. This is the file manager Windows should have right now. It’s gorgeous, embracing the sleek Fluent Design of Windows 11 and, more importantly, it features a dual-pane view for dragging files between locations like a pro. It also supports file tagging, so you can stop relying on rigid folder hierarchies and start organizing your documents with custom, color-coded tags. And the chefs kiss: integration with popular cloud drive services. Trade Windows Search for Everything You hit the search bar, type in the name of a file you know is there, and then watch the little dots dance. Windows Search indexing is notoriously slow and resource-heavy. Instead, try Everything by Voidtools. Instead of indexing file contents, this utility indexes only the file and folder names on your drives. The result is pure speed. You start typing, and the results appear instantly. If you know the name of the file you want, Everything will find it before youve finished the first syllable. Trade the Snipping Tool for ShareX The built-in Snipping Tool gets the job done if the job is “take a picture and save it.” But what if you need to capture a scrolling window, annotate with arrows, and instantly upload the image to a shareable link? Thats where ShareX shines. This open-source utility turns a simple screenshot into a complete workflow. After you capture your region (with advanced options like scrolling capture), ShareX can automatically upload it to dozens of online services, shorten the link, and copy that link to your clipboard. It eliminates the manual steps of saving, opening the browser, and uploading. It’s a massive productivity multiplier. Trade Notepad for Notepad++ Notepad is a fossil: a blank canvas that knows how to hold text and nothing else. Its great for pure simplicity, but utterly useless for anything that requires even a basic level of efficiency, like viewing source code or editing config files. Notepad++ isnt just a better text editor; its a standard utility for developers and power users. It offers tabbed document viewing, syntax highlighting for dozens of languages, and incredibly powerful search-and-replace functionality. It manages large files beautifully and supports the kinds of macros and plug-ins that make working with text-based data infinitely smoother. Trade Sound Recorder for Audacity Windows current Sound Recorder is strictly for capturing audio: a basic, single-track utility with zero editing capability. If you want to trim the beginning, remove background noise, or layer tracks, youre out of luck. The godfather of free, open-source audio editing, Audacity is a full-fledged,multitrack digital audio workstation (DAW) that costs zero dollars. You can record, edit, mix, and convert audio with a vast library of free effects and tools. Whether youre cutting an interview clip, cleaning up a podcast recording, or digitizing an old cassette, Audacity offers pro-level features that blow the built-in Windows recorder out of the water.
Category:
E-Commerce
American agriculture is facing a crisis. The average U.S. farmer is nearly 60, and according to American Farmland Trust research, we are losing farmland at a rate of more than 2,000 acres per day. Yet, consumer demand for organic and regenerative food continues to climb, creating an urgent need. This is not just an agricultural issue. It is an economic and cultural challenge with profound implications for our food security, our environment, and our communities. If we step back, the problem reveals an opportunity: Farming must be reimagined as a viable, purposeful career for people who may never have considered it before. Tomorrows farmers may not grow up on farms at all. They may be transitioning professionals, entrepreneurs, or military veterans looking for ways to serve their country at home. AGRICULTURE AND FARMING AS A MODERN CALLING For too long, farming has been portrayed as a profession in decline. However, regenerative and organic agriculture offer a different, innovative vision. They represent an economy of renewal through restoring soil, rebuilding ecosystems, and creating healthier food systems. For individuals searching for meaning in their work, farming provides something rare in todays economy: the ability to see the tangible impact of labor. Planting a seed, nurturing it into food, and feeding a community is deeply rewarding. Unlike many modern jobs, farming ties daily effort to a long-term purpose. A NEW MISSION One group for whom this opportunity has been especially powerful is U.S. military veterans. Each November, we pause as a nation to honor their service and sacrifice. But what happens after the parades and tributes fade? For too many, the transition from service to civilian life brings challengesfinding meaningful work, reconnecting with a sense of purpose, and healing from the wounds of battle. At Rodale Institute, we believe regenerative organic agriculture can be part of the solution. In 2016, we launched the Veteran Farmer Training Program to provide a full-time, hands-in-the-soil experience for service members transitioning into agriculture. On our 400-acre certified organic research farm in Pennsylvania, veterans learn about soil health, crop rotation, livestock management, equipment operation, and business planning. Just as importantly, they rediscover community and mission. The connection between military service and farming runs deep. Historically, returning soldiers often found grounding and renewal in working the land. Farming offers more than a paycheck. It provides structure, purpose, and a tangible way to continue serving others by feeding communities. For example, Josh, a U.S. Army veteran, served multiple tours overseas and struggled with depression after leaving the military. Through the Institutes farmer training program, he not only learned to grow food organically, but he also found a new calling. Today, he runs a small vegetable farm that supplies fresh produce to local food banks and markets. As another example, Erika, a former Marine Corps logistics officer, came to the Institute with no prior farming experience but a passion for sustainability. After completing training, she joined a regenerative farm and now mentors other veterans looking to enter the field. These stories highlight something bigger than a career shift. Farming becomes a way to support veterans in reconnecting with themselves, their communities, and the land. A BUSINESS CASE FOR FARMING CAREERS The need for new farmers is not limited to veterans. Teachers, engineers, and corporate professionals have also found purpose in regenerative organic agriculture. But to broaden the pipeline, we must lower barriers: access to land, training, financing, and markets. This is where business leaders should pay attention. A resilient food system underpins every sector of our economy. Without healthy soil and secure domestic food production, long-term prosperity is at risk. Veterans, alongside others making the transition into farming, bring leadership, resilience, and discipline, exactly the qualities needed to transform our food system. Supporting new farmers can take many forms: sourcing from regenerative organic farms, investing in training programs, or shaping supply chains that prioritize soil health. Each action strengthens not just agriculture, but the foundation of our economy. A CALL TO ACTION Ive had the privilege of meeting many people, who like me, left behind one life to answer the call of the land. Each of us carries different reasons, but the same longing: to heal, to grow, to give. What started as my personal leap of faith is now a shared movement, with roots spreading far beyond what we first imagined. We are returning to the farm like never before. We are waking up to how disconnected we are from our food system. We are leaving our jobs and careers to reorient our lives around food, whether thats growing it, distributing it, or working in advocacy, financing, or education. This Veterans Month, lets go beyond gratitude and invest in opportunity. Support a veteran-owned farm. Invest in the transition of organic farmland. Partner with organizations preparing the next generation of farmers. The crisis in agriculture is real, but so is the opportunity. Farming can be a modern calling, a path to renewal for both the land and the people who work it. When we acknowledge farming as a career of dignity and innovation, everyone benefits: our veterans, our food system, and our shared future. Jeff Tkach is CEO of Rodale Institute.
Category:
E-Commerce
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