Be sparing with promises and save your energy for keeping them. We examine the stakes in this edition of Doing What Works.

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The Four Agreements is billed as a practical guide to personal freedom.

It isn’t a sin to refrain from making a vow.

Twenty percent for new business.

The human heart demands an adventure.

“What would you do if you were stuck in one place and every day was exactly the same, and nothing that you did mattered?”

Do you consider yourself a contrarian? If you do, then we have an encore edition of the show for you! If you don’t, that probably makes you a contrarian -- so we have a show for you, too.
 
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The Secret was wildly popular. How do you feel about it?
 
Martha Stewart is wildly successful. Are you happy for her?
 
Gretchen Rubin thinks enthusiasm is a form of social courage. Do you agree?
 
Daniel Stern’s character in City Slickers said getting married meant he wasn’t a goofball anymore. Does marriage confer status?
 
Let me fall if I need to fall. The person I become will catch me.
 
We grow in connection with others.

Have you ever been so distraught you were surprised you could laugh at something, anything, even for a moment? It’s one of many milestones we encourage you to savor in this edition of Doing What Works.

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“By the end I was deteriorating faster than I could lower my standards.”

Can you think of your challenge as a lucky fin?

What does a forty-hour fast have in common with an ankle injury or even a vacation? We’re so glad you asked! The answer’s in this edition of Doing What Works.

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Supposed fasting benefits!

The supposed doctor within.

Interruptions are God’s plan.

Dad has family arrive at the airport before it’s even built!

A meltdown in Trader Joe’s.

August Turak says the most difficult thing he ever assigned students was to sit in silence.

Conor Grennan is the author of Little Princes.

If you’ve ever been accused of being too sensitive, undoubtedly by someone who’s too judgmental, this edition of Doing What Works is for you!

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Pamie Ribon hails from the world of roller derby.

Crying is a release.

NurtureShock offers new thinking about children.

When I Stop Talking, You’ll Know I’m Dead author Jerry Weintraub suggested you not ask colleagues how they’re doing.

Advice is easier to take when you’ve asked for that, but what about the unsolicited variety? We give it careful consideration in this edition of Doing What Works.

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Story is a book about not only screenwriting but how to live.

If you trust the source you don’t need the argument.

The Let Them Theory will show you how to stop wasting energy on things you can’t control.

It’s impossible to love people exactly as much as they do you, to get paid exactly as much as your time is worth, to be rewarded with cosmic goodies commensurate with your good deeds. We answer the “How lopsided is too lopsided?” question in this edition of Doing What Works.

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The peace you feel without their presence in your life is worth being the villain in their story.

Once you realize your efforts and rewards are not related, it really frees up your calendar.

Successful people cut their losses early.

I’ve got a song. I carry it with me and I sing it loud. If it gets me nowhere I’ll go there proud.

Katie sprained her ankle just before Christmas, and navigating NYC -- first on crutches, then with a knee scooter -- has been awful. And wonderful! This edition of Doing What Works is quite a ride.

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Are you spending time worrying about how not to hurt someone’s feelings who deserves to get those feelings hurt?

Reliable heat, hot water on demand, level surfaces. These are a few of my favorite things, and I no longer take them for granted. What about you? How would you like a gratitude-packed edition of Doing What Works?

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Barbara Sher said the passage of time drives you crazy when you know you’re not using it right.

Do you take technology for granted?

Hedonic adaptation is a way of taking things for granted.

If you feel like you have more than your share of winceworthy moments, this edition of Doing What Works is for you!

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We tend to romanticize the road not taken.

A Million Miles in a Thousand Years!

The Other Side of the Mountain was a touchstone for my sisters and me.

Sliding Doors was a touchstone for people Katie’s age.

Choose the bigger life.