I interact with colleagues all over the country, many of whom I have known for 30 years or more. Often when I am faced with a problem, a question, a dilemma or a predicament in my work as a consulting forensic engineer – or even when I am brainstorming about something and need fresh input, I will pick up the phone and get a thought, an insight or an answer from someone I know.

Over the years I have come to realize that success in business depends on a combination of factors: skill, knowledge, persistence, experience, timing and luck – to name just a few. More and more, however, I realize that relationships and a strong professional network are probably the most important parts of the calculus of success.

Today, it’s all about networking via Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and other social media. Business and professional organizations encourage attendance at meetings, mixers and formal networking gatherings. I’m  still old-school though; I think the best way to cultivate deep, meaningful, productive professional relationships is over lunch, or better yet, over a fine estate Cabernet Sauvignon or a rare 30-year old Scotch.

What matters fundamentally is an honest connection that develops into trust, respect and esteem over time.  Early on in my career, I sought out mentors and benefited greatly from their advice and guidance. After I started my own practice, I made it a point to surround myself with peers and associates whom I could turn to in various ways. Eventually I gained enough experience and wisdom to become a mentor and offer young engineering students the kind of support and encouragement that helped me at the start of my career and throughout the years since then. I have gained enormously from all of these relationships.

Members of my professional network often help me select and vet products for OakStreet, and I’m confident that the merchandise reflects the quality and value of these relationships. I have learned that when I pay attention to others, genuinely listen to them, and step outside of myself to understand another point of view or consider a different course of action, it not only helps me make sound decisions and solve problems, but it also enriches me personally.

At OakStreet Man, we love The Art of Manliness. Filled with tips, tricks, and discussions on the skills and knowledge that every man should have, it's a quality online resource.

A perfect example is this recent guide to knives you need to have in your kitchen and how to keep them performing on the cutting edge. The author thinks that having a top-quality chef knife is essential to making great meals, and we couldn't agree more. It's a sharp idea.

The "most used and versatile knife in the kitchen", the chef's knife, is also one of the most important. The knife should be made of high quality stainless steel, have a very solid weight and feel, and have a seamless integration between blade and handle. After all, it's the knife you'll be using most, and you want to be able to rely on it. We're partial to the 8" Shun Chef Knife, a fantastic tool built from VG-10 stainless steel that we've mentioned before.

Once you have your tools of choice, they should always be kept sharpened to maintain peak performance. You can have this done professionally for best results, but in between professional honing you can use an electronic sharpener or sharpening steel. The simple 4-step sharpening process can be seen on The Art of Manliness. But never sharpen a serrated knife! Sharpening them will wear down their edge and stop them from performing as intended.

But don't spend all your time preparing to slice and dice. Once you're equipped like a master chef, start making some meals! There are few things quite as rewarding as enjoying a savory dish you've made yourself.

A lot changes over the years. Fashions, language, tastes, and much more. While it may come as a shock that the Internet slang "OMG" has been found in a letter dating back to 1917, nobody would have expected to find it in a dictionary then.

Drinks are no different. You've probably had (quite a bit of) experience with gin cocktails and manhattans, but did you know that the drinks we enjoy today are very different from their original recipes? Over the years, these drinks have evolved along with the world around them. Luckily for us, we can take a sip of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries by ordering beverages the original way, thanks to a breakdown of authentic cocktail recipes in Esquire magazine.

Take the gin cocktail. Back before 1880, when a man asked for gin, he wasn't picturing the sharp taste of the London dry gins we're used to today. Instead, gin meant the Dutch-style "genever", a rich juniper-flavored precursor to modern gin that bore a much greater resemblance to whiskey.

You may know that the manhattan got its name from the Manhattan Club, where it originated in the 1870's. But their recipe didn't call for the maraschino cherry juice that's found in today's drink. Instead, vermouth was a much more important player in the mix that gave it its smooth, rich flavor.

Intrigued? So are we. The full article over at Esquire provides the recipes for both of these authentic old-school drinks, as well as the original Singapore sling. Making your own cocktails? Don't forget to check out the OakStreet Man martini shaker, as well as our collection of fine pub glassware.

These drinks may not be able to actually move you through time, but we think that kicking back and enjoying a taste of these classic beverages is the next best thing. Let us know if you have any other vintage recipes to share!

Exercise isn't just about the body. Just as much, it's the mental control you have over your body, both science and experience have shown. An article in this month's Outside Magazine explores just how much of an impact mental training can have on athletic performance. We all know how easy it is to lose motivation, and the body won't respond to a brain that's leading it half-heartedly. Luckily, the professionals know how to keep themselves going with some tried-and-true techniques, and you should too.

Make it easy for yourself to succeed, and difficult for yourself to fail. Having a coach or a training partner puts the onus on you to accomplish what you've planned. Letting yourself down is one thing, flaking out on someone else is something else entirely. Sometimes improving performance doesn't even require performing. Mental visualization is one of the key tricks that the professionals use to get ahead. Setting yourself up for success starts with knowing what exactly that will be like, so it's a familiar and expected result:

When you rehearse a move or performance clearly in your mind, the brain becomes more familiar with it, and it can control movements more easily in reality.

Anything you can do to distract yourself from your physical pain will help tremendously. Focus on small goals, such as making it to the next street sign or lamppost, instead of worrying about how far away the finish still is. Better yet, listen to an audiobook or podcast that will occupy your attention. Even talking to yourself, while it may not win you any points for sanity, can help block those defeatist thoughts from creeping in. Choosing a few positive words to repeat out loud will remind you of your abilities and the work you've already done when you hit a really tough spot.

The full article at Outside Magazine has even more tips, ideas, and advice from professional athletes. Be sure to check it out; even one simple tip can go a long way to make your workouts more successful, rewarding, and fun!

Image courtesy of referenced article, copyright Andy Anderson of Outside Magazine

Last week, while removing some dead stumps from the yard, I was struck by the paradox of how strenuous physical exertion was calming my mind and clearing my head.

I tend to delegate tasks that involve shovels, saws, hoes and backbreaking physical exertion these days, and focus instead on the mentally demanding tasks that generally are the substance of my work days.  My work involves solving problems, analyzing complex design issues, thinking strategically, managing staff, satisfying clients, and ensuring adequate cash flow for my two businesses. It is hard work, for sure. This kind of work can often tie you up in knots – and drain you just as much as any physical exertion. Still rarely does it occur to me to untie these knots with more work, albeit a different type of work.

Somehow, however, I got roped into helping a friend with spring clearing, trimming and planting, which turned out to be both exhausting and cathartic at the same time. At first, I found myself taking out some frustrations by digging, chopping and hacking. As I worked through and beyond that, I sort of got into a comfortable rhythm that allowed me to tap into that place of inner calm and sense of deep serenity that I rarely access. By the end of the day, I had finished the job, and also dug through some layers of tension, frustration and annoyance that had been building within me for awhile. Who knows; maybe I sweated them out. Maybe I buried them with the new plantings.

At any rate, on Monday morning I had plenty of sore, achy muscles and more than a few blisters to show for my efforts. But I also found that I had managed to clear a few stumps out of my head in the process of taming the yard.

A Book of Verses underneath the Bough, A Jug of Wine, a Loaf of Bread—and Thou…

From The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam
Translated by Edward Fitzgerald

A jug of wine, a loaf of bread, a book of verse… and good friend(s).  Such simple pleasures seem pretty quaint today. The pace of life for most of us in the 21st century is fast and frenetic. And simple things, like taking long aimless walks; indulging in Saturday afternoon naps; savoring long, bracing showers; and going on picnics seem incongruous to our fast-paced lifestyles.

When was the last time you had a picnic? Not a production-style poolside party or a fancy, complicated barbeque, but a simple, old-fashioned picnic? The kind where you sat on a blanket and unpacked a hamper and ate things like crusty French bread, sharp cheese, hard boiled eggs accompanied, of course, by a jug of wine.

A picnic engages your senses and clears out your head. For an hour or so, you just simply delight in what nature sends your way, whether it is the pulse of the breeze, the antics of the birds, or even the annoying flies and pesky ants. A few weeks ago, my grandsons and I were entertained when a multi-generational family of javelina strolled up to the patio to check out our picnic menu. What a surprise! What a delight!

Knowing that outdoor picnics are still months away for people in many parts of the country, I was inspired to create a special indoor picnic collection which you can find at OakStreet. Check it out. You owe it to yourself to have a picnic soon.

Indoor Picnic Basket

Spring time is nearing, but not quite here...so why not bring the joy of a spring time picnic inside? With this set from OakStreet Man, you will have all of the tools you need to turn your own home into a romantic spring picnic.

Includes the Following:

• Vinturi Tower Aerator
• Set of 2 Pinot Noir Glasses
• Cheese Knife Set
• Salt and Pepper Shakers
• (2) Individual Salad Bowls
• 15" Salad Bowl
• Salad Tongs

 

Frequently I find myself in the position of being the Bank of Dad for my kids and grandkids. Of course, I am pleased that members of my tribe know that they can turn to me in their times of need, and generally I view financing their endeavors as a good investment. Yet I am sometimes unsure about this role – what and when to give as well as how much and what strings I could or should attach to the “loans.”

It’s a fact that people make time for what’s important to them.

In the past, regular exercise was one of those things that often got bumped or dropped from my schedule by other priorities – or by my own lethargy. But about a year ago, I decided to make my workouts a priority. I committed to myself that I would get up a little earlier, stay up a little later, skip lunch and eat a protein bar, or do whatever it took to hit the gym three times a week – religiously. No Excuses Accepted (well…almost all of the time).

Today, 15 lbs. lighter, I feel healthier, stronger, more vigorous, and more energized. Friends and colleagues say I look younger, slimmer and happier. In addition to the physical benefits of regular exercise, I also feel calmer, sharper, more alert, confident and on top of my game.

This morning was one of those mornings when I was tempted to blow off my workout. I was not entirely prepared for the first meeting on my calendar plus I had a full day of calls, reports, conferences and reviews scheduled. I was tempted to head straight to the office and dig in. Nevertheless, I went somewhat reluctantly to the gym – and exited and hour and a half later feeling refreshed, energized, and with a clear sense of how best to approach that important meeting.

We all make excuses for missing, forgetting, overlooking or just plain skipping things, but the reality is that we remember and find time or make time for the things that really matter to us. For me one of the most important of those things is my own health, and working out on a consistent basis helps me to keep that on track.

Bill

If you’re like me, the holiday season is one long orgy of rich food and lavish meals. There are occasions with friends, family, colleagues, special clients, business groups, neighbors and others...

Very few hand-made gifts are exchanged at holiday time or any other time these days. A home-made meal is one of the rare exceptions. Many of us still spend time, search for the best ingredients and just the right recipes, explore our creativity with preparations, pairings, etc. and lay it all out on the table for friends and family to enjoy.

Many of us, including myself, give too little appreciation for what goes into preparing these wonderful, delicious meals. Each buffet, dinner, brunch and cocktail party was planned thoughtfully and prepared laboriously. I have recently come to know the amount of effort, pride, care and attention to detail that goes into those meals – because I prepared a few myself this season. The planning, shopping, prepping, setting up and cleanup are truly labors of love and gifts of time from busy people to those we care about.

Of course, I like to think I helped make it a bit easier on my friends and family members by providing them access to fine cookware, kitchen appliances and serving items from the OakStreet Man collection. These make a big difference in the ease and success – as well as the presentation and cleanup. Non-stick skillets, sturdy, high quality pots and pans; ultra sharp cutlery, attractive and functional serving pieces and glassware all make the work go smoother and the end result more visually pleasing.

To all those who went to the effort, spent the time, worried about the outcome, put their hearts into their culinary efforts – thank you. Your gift of love was appreciated.

Bill

With the end of the year approaching, it’s time to review, summarize and analyze the year gone by. If you’re a self-employed consulting engineer as I am, you may tend to think of a year in terms of 52.5 weeks, 365 days, 8,760 hours — a percentage of which are billable…

Of course I make a few resolutions: Eat more leafy greens and fewer French fries. Get more cardio exercise. Observe more speed limits (well maybe). Call Mom more often. Be more generous and give more to needy, worthwhile benevolent causes.

I am very mindful of the times in my own life when other people’s generosity or mercy or hospitality or patience made a difference in my life. I’m quite sure that almost everyone, no matter how affluent, successful or powerful they may be, has benefitted from the kindness of others at one time or another. And I believe this lays an obligation on us to pay it forward.

I try to be pragmatic about my charitable giving. I give to organizations and causes that I care about, that have touched my life or the life of someone I know. I try to be thoughtful and to target and time my giving so that it will have a real impact.

This year I am focusing my giving on the Wounded Warriors Project, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization founded by a group of veterans and friends who took action to help the injured service men and women of this generation. America’s injured service members deserve honor, respect, admiration — and all the support they can get. I feel proud and humbled to support their efforts and invite you to have a look and give this fine program your consideration.