INPUT ARTICLE: Article: A big part of being a competent strategist is knowing when to switch tactics. Developing goals is wonderful, but you also must be willing to terminate a plan or incorporate new strategies if you are not getting the anticipated results.  If, upon reassessment, you find that you do not see the progress you would like, go back to step one. Consider what and why your methods are not working. Examine what resources you currently have at your disposal. Then, come up with some new ways of meeting your objectives.  Know that it takes time to meet many goals. Don't switch strategies until you can confirm that the tactic is, in fact, not working. In some cases, you may not have given your methods enough time to show results. Consider this scenario: you are aiming to build up a long-term savings account. You were able to consistently deposit a set amount into the account every week. After successfully moving towards this goal for a period of time, you might decide to increase the amount you are depositing each week to meet your long-term goal faster. If you are closed to new ideas and techniques, you limit yourself. An essential part of your arsenal as a strategist must be a willingness to be wrong, to be surprised, and to find inspiration in the most unlikely of places. If keeping an open mind poses a challenge for you, try the following tips:  Listen more, even to those with lesser titles than you. Reinforce those who have the courage to try new things or make changes. Gather all the facts before making a decision. A good strategist is like a sponge, constantly soaking up knowledge and experiences. Because science and technology are always evolving, you must understand that you, too, must educate yourself to stay abreast.  Learn by reading books, watching films and documentaries, and completing online and in-person training in your given area. Regularly acquire new skills. Observe others to see how they are doing things. Ask questions; never assume you know everything. A capable strategist has mastered the notion of foresight, or he has someone on his team who has this skill. Many great leaders and businesses are toppled because a new trend or technique rendered their old methods useless. In order to prevent this, one must anticipate and plan for challenges. Do this by:  Staying connected. Keep your finger on the pulse of the people. Know what their challenges are. Researching your area of expertise. Stay abreast of new trends, products, and the users' response to them. Consult with the customer or end-user. Consider their opinion on new initiatives. Develop special teams to anticipate and respond to challenges.

SUMMARY: Reassess your progress. Be open-minded. Build an always-learning attitude. Anticipate challenges and plan accordingly.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Basil will flower after all the leaves on one stem are full-grown, but the herb loses some of its flavor after flowering occurs. The flowers appear in the middle of a bunch of leaves in a pyramid shape. Plan to prep and dry basil once all the leaves have sprouted, but before you see flowers on the stems.  Basil leaves have the most oil just before the plant flowers, so harvesting them at this point will ensure that the dried basil has as much flavor as possible.  Harvest at mid-morning. This is the best time to harvest because the plant has been watered but the sun has dried the leaves. Separate bunches of basil leaves and cut the individual leaves from the larger stem. Separating them will help you lay them flat and clean them properly. Leave a small length of stem, no more than an inch, at the bottom of each leaf to help you bundle them and tie them together. Rinse cut basil leaves under cold water before drying them. This will remove any dirt, chemicals or other debris that may have fallen onto the leaves while growing or while being shipped if your basil is store-bought. Lay the rinsed leaves on a paper towel and gently pat them dry with a second paper towel. Removing excess moisture before drying basil will prevent molding during the drying process.

SUMMARY: Harvest the basil just before it flowers. Cut basil leaves from the stems. Rinse the leaves well. Pat the rinsed leaves dry.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: The spindle will run over the mouth of the well, and can support a small bucket to make your wishing well look more like a real one. You may use a strong, 1" (25 mm) thick dowel, but since these are difficult to find, consider using a length of 1 x 1 (25 x 25 mm) lumber instead. Cut this to a length that can extend across the full outer diameter of the well, plus at least an additional 6 inches (15 cm).  The spindle will need to fit through holes in the roof supports. If you are building an extra-small wishing well, you may need to use a smaller spindle. You'll need a similar piece about 6 inches (15 cm) long for the handle, so save the scraps from cutting. Drill holes large enough to fit the spindle. Choose a location high up on the roof support, but below the roof, and measure from the well edge to make sure the two holes are at the same height. Push the spindle through the holes. Using the scraps of lumber from this project, cut out two washers a bit larger than the spindle. For most wells, square or round washers 1.5" (38 mm) across (and any thickness) will work. Drill a hole 1" (25 mm) in diameter through each washer. Push a washer onto each end of the spindle, until it is flat against the frame. Use wood glue to attach the washers and frame. Cut a rectangle of lumber about 2" x 3" (5 x 7.5 cm), and drill two 1" (25 mm) holes into it. Place one hole onto the spindle and attach it using wood glue. Cut a piece of dowel or lumber about 6 inches (15 cm) long, using the same size of lumber you used for the spindle. Stick this handle through the remaining hole on the rectangle, and attach with wood glue. You can now turn the spindle by rotating this handle. Select a mug, cup, or small bucket that you don't mind exposing to an outdoor environment. Tie a short length of rope onto the handle, and tie the other end onto the spindle. Use a strong glue to fasten the rope permanently to the spindle, allowing you to raise or lower the bucket. A tightly made barrel wit a bottom can hold water, but keep in mind that standing water can become a breeding ground for mosquito larvae. Place a small, dark-colored trash can or bucket at the base of the well instead so you can easily lift it out and empty it. Better yet, place an open-bottomed well over a small fountain pipe attached to your irrigation system for a burbling well. Alternatively, fill the well with soil instead, and plant flowers.

SUMMARY:
Create a spindle. Fit the spindle through the roof supports. Attach the spindle using homemade washers. Create a handle. Tie a cup onto the spindle. Add water (optional).