Article: After your tree is sanded, you can stain and seal the wood, or you can paint it. Before painting, wipe the wood clean with a water dampened rag, allow the dampness to dry, then:  Open a can of suitable wood primer. Mix it according to its directions. Then use long, smooth strokes with a clean paintbrush to apply several layers to the front of the tree from the top to its bottom.  Allow the primer to dry. Then open a can of suitable wood paint and mix it with a paint stirrer. Dip a clean paintbrush into the paint, wipe excess paint on the inside lip of the can, and paint the front of your tree top down with long, even strokes. After your paint is dry, if you want your pallet tree to have a more festive appearance, use decorations, like ornaments, ribbons, glitter, tinsel, and more. These can be attached to your tree with a suitable glue or tape.  You can create the effect of snow on the branches of your pallet tree by dipping a sponge into a little bit of white paint and lightly stippling them. If you want to draw a design on your tree but lack the artistic skill to freehand it, you can always make a stencil and use that to apply the design. For many Christmas celebrating cultures, a Christmas tree is not complete without a strand of lights circling around it. Take a string of lights and wrap it around the branches of your tree until it is completely strung.  If your lights don't hang easily on your tree, you may have to attach them in place. U-shaped tacks or sturdy tape, like duct tape, are useful for holding lights in place. To give your tree the most polished and authentic look, you may want to hide the front and back end of your string of lights behind the tree.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Paint your pallet tree. Add Christmas themed decorations, if desired. String up lights, if desired.

Problem: Article: Timing is key to starting a great conversation. No one likes to be interrupted if they are busy or preoccupied. When you are trying to start a conversation, keep in mind that timing is key. If you need to have an important conversation with your boss, for example, try scheduling time in advance to talk. This will ensure that you both have the time to devote to having a productive conversation.  Timing is also important for impromptu conversations. Maybe you have been looking for a way to meet your new neighbor. You probably don't want to strike up a conversation if they are entering the building soaked with rain, looking exhausted, and carrying a bag of take-out food. At this point, a simple, "Hi, how are you?" will suffice. You can save getting to know one another for a better time. If someone is making eye contact with you, it might be a good time to strike up a conversation. For instance, if you are browsing in a bookstore and the person next to you glances over frequently to see which book you are considering, try talking to them. You could say, "This one looks interesting. Do you like biographies?" If you want to talk to your husband about adopting a new puppy, make sure to approach him at a good time. If you know he's not a morning person, don't bring up the subject before he has had his coffee and a chance to wake up. Having spur of the moment conversations is an excellent way to improve your skills as a conversationalist. Take some time each day to try to start a conversation with someone you encounter in your everyday life. For example, you could try talking to the person in line behind you at your local coffee shop. Make a comment or ask a question about your surroundings. This will seem natural and is a great way to start talking.  Try saying, "I love the coffee here. What's your favorite roast?". This shows that you are interested in talking and you are beginning the conversation in a completely natural way. Strike a positive tone. Offering a cheerful comment is usually more effective than saying something negative. You could say something like, "Isn't this weather great? I love when it's cool enough to wear sweaters." Many of us encounter a very large number of people each day. Whether you work for a large company, or simply see a lot of people in your neighborhood or at your child's school, it can be difficult to put the right face with the right name. However, research shows that making a point to not only remember people's names, but to call them by name can help increase the personal connection between you. When you first learn someone's name, repeat it in conversation. When someone says, "Hi, I'm Emily", you should say, "It's nice to meet you, Emily." The immediate repetition will help you imprint the name in your memory. Saying something nice is a great ice-breaker. Most people respond positively when you offer them a compliment. Try to choose something specific to comment on, and make sure that you are being sincere. Your tone of voice and facial expressions often convey your thoughts, so make sure you are being honest in the compliment.  Try saying something encouraging to a co-worker whom you would like to know better. You could offer a statement such as, "I really admire the way you delivered that presentation. Could you give me some tips on how to organize an effective pitch?" This type of statement not only starts the conversation on a positive note, but you are opening the door for follow-up.
Summary: Perfect your timing. Comment on your surroundings. Remember people. Offer a compliment.

Look at yourself in a mirror and time how long you can maintain eye contact without blinking.  You can also have a staring contest with someone else to test your ability. Having full command over your eye movements will help you maintain steady eye contact with the other person during the hypnosis. Do this by looking at a close object, like a pen or pencil and then a distant object in the room.  Hold the pencil close to your face. Focus on the pencil. Move from focusing on the pencil to an object that is further away, like a picture on the wall or a doorknob. Return to focusing on the pencil. Then focus on the distant object. Continue practicing this to improve your focus flexibility. This is your ability to see objects and movements on either side of you without having to turn your head. To improve this ability:  Sit in a busy scene outside on a sidewalk. Or sit in front of a TV or computer screen that is playing a busy scene. Try to look at the busy scene with your head turned to one side. Then, look at the scene with your head turned to other other side. Try to see as much of the scene as possible on either side. Make sure you practice from the left and from the right.
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One-sentence summary --
Try to maintain eye contact for long periods of time without blinking. Practice your ability to focus with your eyes. Improve your peripheral awareness.