I Give Advice in Five Areas of My Expertise and About Life in General

I'm going to come right out with it: on my last birthday I turned sixty-seven. I know, I know, I don't like it and obviously I'm in far better physical condition than most people in their forties, let alone sixties. Also, despite appearances to the contrary, my brain is still functioning. Anyway, I was thinking the other day (as I'm want to do) that as I've been around for awhile I've accumulated no small amount of wisdom, particularly in certain areas. It would be selfish of me to keep all this knowledge and understanding to myself so I am here sharing a few bits and pieces with my vast sea of readers (Oglethorpe McCluskey of Braintree, Mass.). You will find five pieces of advice in five different areas plus ten pieces of advice for everyone and anyone. I hope they help.

Advice for new teachers

1. Make your class interesting and where possible fun. If you’re enjoying teaching, students will enjoy learning.
2. If you’re bragging about what a strict disciplinarian you are, you’re doing it wrong.
3. Read the room. If students aren't understanding, slow down. If they’ve got it, move on. If they’re bored, try something else. In other words, call audibles. Be flexible.
4. While rewards are much more effective than punishment, learning is its own reward. Focus on helping students learn and not on giving them treats.
5. All things in moderation and variety is the spice of life. Don’t talk too much, don’t use videos too often, don’t give too many worksheets. Be able to employ different teaching methods and appeal to different learners.

Advice for youth sports coaches

1. Do not yell at players for anything save perhaps a failure to hustle. Praise and encouragement are much more effective.
2. Do not publicly admonish a player or your team. 
3. Give equal attention to all your players.
4. Create a family atmosphere on your team. Emphasize teamwork and shared responsibility
5. Give everyone playing time.

Advice for people suffering depression

1. Do not hesitate to consult medical experts. But do not accept everything medical experts say, opinions and treatments vary.
2. Don't be afraid to take medications but be aware of side effects.
3. Eat, don’t drink too much, get plenty of exercise, try to sleep well.
4. Tell trusted friends what you’re going through.
5. Remember you’re not alone, facilitate this by not isolating.

Advice for couples entering a long-term relationship

1. Be honest with one another.
2. Listen to one another.
3. In addition to being lovers, be friends.
4. Share household responsibilities as evenly as possible.
5. Be affectionate.

Advice for aspiring writers

1. Write everyday. Period. (There will be days that you can’t write due to illness, traveling, overwhelming obligations, but never plan days off.)
2. Set goals for how much you will write or when you will complete a writing. Walk the fine line between ambitious and realistic.
3. Read a lot and read a variety. Fiction, non-fiction, poetry, journalism.
4. Be observant. Pay attention to people, places, situations.
5. Be contemplative. Reflect on your day and what you did and didn’t do.

General advice for everyone

1. It’s better to work smart than to work hard.
2. Be a good listener.
3. Be a life-long learner.
4. Stay fit, eat right. High fiber diets and exercise are crucial.
5. Find the love of your life and treat that person well.
6. Love yourself.
7. When you need help, ask for it, don’t hesitate.
8. Support those who are need or disadvantaged and support political candidates and policies that help the neediest among us.
9. Travel.
10.  Moderation in all things except in how you love other people.