TED talks are thought-provoking lectures put on by a wide range of people who talk about ideas in science, psychology, humanity, anatomy, or anything that has sparked human curiosity. These talks are of the highest quality and will surely spark your mind to think critically and open up to new ideas. TED talks can be found on their website or app, DVDs, or on YouTube. Professional workshops are lead by people who have a vast amount of knowledge about a specific field, theory, or idea and want to share that information with other curious minds. You can attend professional workshops catered to helping you grow in your career, or workshops that help you in your everyday life. Professional workshops can be found by online research or by asking about opportunities at work. Depending on what your interests are, find out who the influential leaders were/are in that area and learn about them. Read about their accomplishments, or watch documentaries about their life. This will teach you about how people pursued great things and may inspire and teach you to do the same. MOOC's are universal online courses that are available for anyone to take part in for free. They are offered by top universities and organizations in order to create a learning community. It provides you the opportunity to learn from the top minds in the world. There are many free online courses and lectures you can take advantage of. Harvard and Stanford both offer free online courses. You can learn more about them by visiting their school websites. Podcasts are audio digital media that you can download off the internet. They are available on numerous subjects and topics and are often hosted by individuals that have a great amount of knowledge or expertise in a specific area.  The Nerdist is a great source for podcasts on the latest scientific discoveries and thought-provoking topics designed to get you thinking. NPR offers many podcasts that cover news from around the world.  The University of Oxford has a huge collection of podcasts and online lectures available.

Summary: Watch TED talks. Attend seminars and conferences. Follow people who are well-established in their field. Take a massive open online course. Listen to podcasts.


Nothing makes a better conversation starter than browsing the same section of books as someone else. If you are a literary creature and look forward to stops by the library or bookstore, do so with the intention of picking up some new books and social interests. Plenty of cities offer free shows by great bands. If you love music, find others with a similar interest by going to a free concert. Head out a little early and stay a little late to talk to other music fans about the show you’re set to see. If you have a passion for a certain activity or organization, do double duty by helping out your community and meeting new people with similar interests. Volunteer for local programs on a regular basis, and you’ll meet plenty of new people for free. Even if you were never the type to join a club in high school or college, there’s nothing stopping you now! Join a local club that interests you - a runners club, a book club, a sports club, anything that catches your eye. These gatherings are full of people who you will share something in common with, making conversations easy. Whether it is a local high school team or major league game, sporting events are packed with new people. Often local high schools offer free admission to games, and have stands full of people. Discussing the game is an easy excuse to start up a new conversation. If simply watching a sports game isn’t enough for you, join a local coed sporting team. You’ll get some physical exercise, enjoy a bit of fun, and be forced into meeting new people of both genders. See what sports are recruiting team members in your area, and start playing! Seminars are great for several reasons; they give you tons of helpful information, are totally free,  and also give you the opportunity to get to know plenty of like-minded individuals. See if any stores, universities, or businesses in your area are giving seminars that you might be interested in. Staying around to talk about the event afterwards is perfect for finding people. If you are spiritual or part of a religious group, use it to your advantage. Go to a new church/temple in your area or to a big gathering nearby. Sharing beliefs with those around you should make it more comfortable to approach new people. Plus, you know you’re a bit more compatible with these people you meet than just anyone off the street. Free dancing lessons are booming these days, and many people are flocking to the events. Try out a free swing or square dance class in your area, or go to a club where people will be dancing anyway. If you’re outgoing enough to dance in front of others, you are certainly outgoing enough to get to know the people you’re dancing with. Find out spur of the moment that a friend or acquaintance is hosting a party? Don’t avoid the social event - join in the fun! Parties, especially full of people you don’t know as well, are great places to find people. Plus, parties thrown by friends are normally free; win-win. If you’re looking for new people, why not try the easy route of asking your friends to set you up? Plan events where your friends must bring a new plus one, or hang out with someone new that is mutually known to you.

Summary: Head to a library or bookstore. Go to a free concert. Volunteer for a group you love. Join a club. Head to a local sporting event. Join a local team. Go to a free seminar. Go to a religious gathering. Try out dancing. Go to a party. Talk to your friends.


This is very important because any oils will prevent the paint from sticking. It will also get rid of any sanding dust if you trimmed the hook down. Simply soak a cotton ball in rubbing alcohol, then wipe down the outside surface.  You should do this even if you just took the hook out of the packaging. You don't need to wipe down the back of the hook because you won't be painting it. If you paint the entire hook to match your wall, then the actual hooked part will show up against the curtain rod. Masking the hooked part off will leave the original color behind, and help it blend into the rod. Tear off a piece of making tape, then wrap it around the hooked part of your Command hook. Stop when you reach the rectangle or oval that the hook is attached to. You can use the brush-on or spray-on kind of primer. If you are using the spray-on kind, be sure to work in a well-ventilated area and to cover your work surface with a sheet of newspaper. Shake the can before using it, and hold it several inches/centimeters away from the surface. Let the paint dry before moving on. Make sure that you use a primer made for plastic surfaces. If the primer doesn't stick, then the paint won't stick either. You can use spray paint for this, but it would be easier to color-match the hook to your wall with interior wall paint. Use a small brush to apply the paint in neat, overlapping rows. Let the paint dry, then add a second layer if it is thin or streaky.  If you are working with spray paint, be sure to paint on top of a sheet of newspaper in a well-ventilated area.  Use a sweeping side-to-side motion. If you live in a rental unit, ask your landlord for some spare paint. Apply the paint with a brush. Make sure that you pull the tape straight up and away from the hook. Do not drag it across the painted part of the hook, otherwise you risk chipping the paint. If you get some chips in the paint, fill them in using a small pointed brush and some spare paint. Whether or not the paint needs curing depends on the type of paint that you are using. Most spray paints are ready to use after they finish drying, which should only take 15 to 20 minutes. Many interior wall paints, however, have a curing time in addition to a drying time. Check the label on your can of paint. Don't use the hooks if the paint feels tacky. It has not cured yet. If you use the hooks before the paint finishes curing, it may peel off. Once the paint has dried and cured, the hooks are ready to use. There is no need to seal them because they are not being heavily used. In fact, sealing the hooks may mar any metallic finishes. The base of the completed hook will match your wall, and the hooked part will match your curtain rod.
Summary: Wipe the hook down with rubbing alcohol. Wrap painter's tape around the hooked part. Paint the hook with paint primer intended for plastic surfaces. Paint the hook a color that matches your wall. Peel off the tape once the paint dries. Allow the paint to cure, if needed. Use the hooks.