Open the can of beans, pour the beans into a colander and rinse them under cold running water. Place a dutch oven or heavy cooking pot on the stovetop and turn the height to medium. Add a high-heat cooking oil, such as safflower or coconut oil, and heat for one to two minutes. At this point you can add aromatics if you wish, such as chopped onions, garlic cloves, carrots or other seasonings. Heat the beans to a low simmer and stir occasionally. You can also add water or stock to the beans if you want more of a sauce consistency or are making soup. Canned beans come precooked, so you really just need to heat the beans to the desired temperature for three to five minutes.

Summary: Drain the soaked beans. Prepare the pot for the beans. Add the beans to the cooking vessel. Cook the beans. Finished.


Now you have to fill out the information for your new event. The default box is the event title. Type in the name of the event you are adding. Below the event name is a start and end date and time.  Click on the "Start" box to select the date. This will open up a small calendar that you can select the date from. You can use the arrows next to each month to change the month option. As soon as you select the date, the box will close and you can pick the time. If it is going to be an all-day event, just click on the "All Day" box next to the time; this will finalize the event date. Click on the white box next to Location and type in where the event will be held. The next box is for invites. You can manually enter in the names of your contacts. You can also click on the small address book icon. This will open up your address book, and you can select who you want to invite by just clicking the box next to the appropriate name. After you are finished click the blue "Done" button to proceed to the next section. After you send the invites, click on the box below it and enter any notes about the event. As an example, you can enter in detailed directions, things needed, and people to contact regarding the event. You can set a reminder by clicking the drop-down menu beside Remind.  You can set the reminder to notify you between 5 minutes and 11 days of the event. You can also select the event type by clicking on the drop-down menu that says Type. Finalize it by clicking on the blue "Save" button. You have successfully booked an event on your calendar!

Summary: Name your event. Edit the date and time. Enter the location. Invite friends and family. Add a note regarding the event. Set a reminder. Save your changes.


Although it is certainly fine to go get a drink of water now and then throughout your work day, what can get you in trouble is heading over there—or to any break room situation—when other coworkers are gathered there. The water cooler has become the symbol for communicating office gossip, and steering clear of it can prevent you from getting embroiled in the politics you are trying to avoid.  Opt for water breaks when the cooler isn’t surrounded, or for breaks when the break room is empty. To further fortify your avoidance of politics, be strict about who you take breaks with in general, limiting your lunches to trusted coworkers. If you do your research before you get started on a project, you can avoid crossing boundaries into interpersonal issues. For example, if you are assigned to a project without asking any questions and you encounter a problem a couple of days later, you can upset the office equilibrium if you ask the wrong coworker for help. Get all your instructions from the get-go.  Ask lots of questions when you get a project. Even go so far as to ask the boss or supervisor for a meeting so that you can ensure that you aren’t impinging on their work time.  Ask the person who assigned you project who they prefer you ask questions of before starting the project. This can minimize offense if you go to someone your boss doesn’t like. In order to stay out of office disputes and politics, you have to not care what they think. Getting in the mix and defending yourself can just add fuel to the gossip fire, not to mention create a reputation for yourself of being a time waster. Recognize that work isn’t about who is most well-liked, like it was in high school. Coworkers who form cliques are bad examples, so stay away from them. Instead of worrying about what coworkers like you, focus on doing a good job. If you’re looking for a promotion, the best way to ensure one is to perform high-quality work. A diligent worker does not need to degrade others or pit people against one another in order to advance, because a good performance speaks for itself.  Some office politics are related to disputes about who deserves a promotion or more power in the workplace. Stay out of these conversations and build up your reputation as a hard worker.
Summary: Avoid the water cooler. Get clear instructions on new projects. Push aside worries about what others think. Work hard.