When you buy your paint, make sure you pick up paint stirrers with it. Dip the stirrer into the paint and move it through until the color and consistency are as even as possible. Apply the paint in even strokes until each panel has an even coat of paint. Make sure to apply more paint to your brush periodically, so your strokes are spreading the paint in roughly equal amounts. Flat areas can be finished more quickly than recessed areas because you can simply roll the paint on. Pour some paint into a painting tray, and then move your roller through the paint. Roll the paint on evenly and apply more paint to it as needed. It will usually take about 2 hours for paint to completely dry on a door. Place a small area of a rag against the paint to test whether or not it’s still wet. Check the area you painted last, as that will also finish drying last. Make sure it’s completely dry before moving on. Don’t worry if your door doesn’t look as great as you’d hoped yet. The second coat is often what really makes it stand out. Put on your second coat in the same way you did your first, being careful to apply the paint as evenly as possible. Your knocker, handle, and lockset can now go back on. Take off any blue painter’s tape that you applied to the door. Once your second coat is dry, you’ll be ready to reattach your door and admire your handiwork. If you find that your new color isn’t working out as well as you thought it would, you can always put on a different color by following the same process. Otherwise, enjoy the new look of your front door!
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One-sentence summary -- Stir paint before applying. Use a brush on depressed panels and edges. Use a paint roller for flat areas. Let the paint dry. Apply a second coat for a better finish. Replace all the things you removed from the door. Reattach door and enjoy your new color.


The perfect outfit should fit the kind of day you're having or event you're going to. You may need active wear if you're working out at the gym. Or, you should find a nice suit if you'll be in meetings for most of the day. Dressy events call for formal attire, while just hanging out at home means you can wear something comfy and casual. Don't be surprised if you need to change clothes throughout the day depending on what you have to do. Just be prepared and bring changes of clothes to meet your needs. Your wardrobe should already be narrowed down by season, but you'll need to consider the weather for the day. You don't want to be in a hot wool suit if it's 90 degrees outside. Likewise, you'll regret wearing a summer dress if it's snowing outside. Check the weather forecast for the day or just look outside the window before you get dressed. If you're unsure what the weather may do, try to be prepared. Carry an umbrella, wear a cardigan, or bring a change of shoes if you think the weather may turn. Choose one piece of clothing that you know you want to wear and build your outfit around it. For example, you may choose a bright print tie or a striking blazer. To keep things simple, just choose one article of clothing to highlight. Don't worry if you'd also like to highlight an accessory. The goal of focusing on a clothing item is to help you fashion an outfit and avoid competing clothing items (like a striped shirt with striped pants and striped tie). Once you have a main clothing piece, choose clothes that accent the item. Avoid completely matching the pieces. This can make them compete for attention. Instead, look for things that really make your focus piece stand out. For example, if you've chosen a striking navy blazer, you might wear a simple white shirt and tan slacks. Or, if you've picked a bright yellow floral skirt, instead of wearing a yellow shirt or floral blouse, wear a navy or denim shirt. The perfect outfit can seem out of place if your shoes are inappropriate. Again, take the weather and occasion into account. Don't forget that you should also be as comfortable as possible. This can be obvious, like wearing sneakers if you're going to be working out. Or, you may really need to consider your day. If you're wearing a simple dress which looks good with heels or flats and you'll be running from meeting to meeting, you may want to choose the more comfortable shoes. If you think you'll be on your feet for a long time, you may want to bring a few pairs of shoes that you can change into. To really make your outfit look put together, add an interesting accessory like cuff links or a scarf. This can add color or interest to a simple outfit. Or, if you have a really bright clothing item, a plain scarf can balance your look. Don't be afraid to try on several things until you find something that works. When adding jewelry, avoid wearing too many matching pieces. Doing so will make your look seem forced. Once you've found a few outfits that you really like, it's easy to keep wearing the same things. This can speed up getting dressed in the morning, but you may want to look more polished or stand out. Make sure your outfit looks mature. Avoid wearing graphic tees, hoodies, or clothing you would have worn 20 years ago. To make your look feel more put together:  Wear a leather bracelet or classic watch. Make a casual sweater stand out by layering a crisp white or colored shirt underneath. Wear more dramatic makeup, highlighting your eyes or mouth (not both). Wear shoes that are a bit dressier than you'd normally choose. Apply cologne or perfume.
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One-sentence summary -- Consider the occasion or day. Check the weather. Select the focus of your outfit. Wear outwear that compliments your outfit. Wear the right shoes. Consider adding accessories. Dress up your uniform or usual look.


If you’re saying 'thank you' in person, remember to smile and make eye contact with the person whom you’re thanking.  These small gestures add a massive amount of sincerity to the 'thank you.' Showing your gratitude to someone else is awesome.  Gushing over them and falling all over yourself to say 'thank you' is overdoing it, and could end up embarrassing the person you’re trying to thank.  Keep your gratitude simple, to the point and pleasant. You should be thanking someone because you honestly and sincerely are grateful for something they did.  You shouldn’t be thanking someone because you were told to do it, or because you felt it was somehow required.  Insincere gratitude is obvious and unappreciated. This is especially important for those who work in a retail environment where they may feel obligated to thank customers on a regular basis.  If you aren’t actually sincere about the thanks, the customer can tell.  Even if it’s your job to thank a customer, you can still make it sincere. There are certain situations that require more than just an in-person ‘thank you,’ such as being treated to dinner, being giving a present, etc.  When these situations occur, a written ‘thank you’ is vital.  Whomever treated you to this extra-special kindness deserves the same in return, and writing a 'thank you' note or card is the best way to show how much you really do appreciate what they did.  If you decide to use a card, blank ones work best in these situations.  Blank cards allow you to write a brief, but custom, note inside. Whatever form your ‘thank you’ note takes, it should specifically mention the reason you’re saying ‘thank you.’ While emails can obviously be personalized, avoid sending an email in these situations.  Emails just aren’t as sincere and well-meaning as an actual note or card. Do not ask someone else to send someone a ‘thank you’ on your behalf, do it yourself.  It isn’t a sincere ‘thank you’ if it isn’t coming from you directly. If you’re a really busy person who doesn’t have a lot of extra time, have some custom ‘thank you’ cards made for you and keep them handy.  Or buy several boxes of blank cards to keep in your desk.
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One-sentence summary --
Smile and make eye contact. Keep it simple. Be sincere in your thanks. Write a thank you note or card. Avoid delegation.