The General Social Survey from University of Chicago social scientists, is considered the scholarly gold standard for understanding social phenomena. Regarding happiness, their numbers have been remarkably consistent.

They suggest that a key element to happiness occurs when people are able to marry their passion to their work skills. This helps bring value to their lives. As Franklin D. Roosevelt said “Happiness lies not in the mere possession of money; it lies the joy of achievement, the thrill of creative effort.”

This passion cannot be manufactured.

Choosing the right venue absolutely shows the person on the receiving end you want make this a special event and that it is about them.

Here are some guidelines to help you pick the right time and event:

– Lunch is best when you have a limited time and it’s a simple thank you gesture or the beginning of a business relationship.

– Dinner should be for those who have gone out of their way to help you develop business. It should be a special venue (cuisine and entertainment).

Some folks love long dinners and an event. For others it is about their favorite foods.

– If an event is important, do the research to select the appropriate play, game or concert.

Following these guidelines will always make the happening a personal one.

A true professional tips those who provide good service, especially in the situations that are repeated. My rule of thumb is as follows:

20% for dining and personal services and at least two to three dollars for the car service and the airport baggage handler.

During the holidays, the tip should be the amount of one service charge. For example, if your manicurist charges $20 dollars then the tip should be $20. These are the folks who make your life easier and tipping is great way to show your appreciation for what they do.

The holidays can be a wonderful time if one can manage the stress of trying to get too much done. Appearing and feeling rattled could take the joy out of this wonderful time.

These are a few things I consider to ensure I will enjoy this season:

1. Do not over schedule, Steven Covey says to allow time in a day for the unexpected.

2. When you are faced with a lack of time to complete a task, complete it on another day.

3. Taking deep breaths really helps when you find yourself in a stressful moment.

4. This is very important: do one at least one thing each day that brings you joy. For me it is in the morning when I hug my dog and make plans to have lunch or dinner with a friend to celebrate the holidays.

Holiday parties are the time to celebrate relationships and a good time to take the stress out of this busy time of the year.

To ensure you have fun:

• RSVP at least a week in advance unless otherwise specified in the invite.

• Let the hostess know if you have any food or animal allergies.

• Make sure that a hostess gift does not get too close to food that needs to be served or too near flowers on the table.

• Arrive no later than ten minutes after the start time.

• Mingle and introduce yourself to new folks.

The holiday is a good time to say thank you to those folks who continue to help your business or career.

To ensure you give the appropriate thanks, here are some guidelines:

• Lunch or dinner is difficult during this time of the year – however you can send an invite for the New Year using a lovely note or holiday card.

• Theatre or sport tickets are great for those who are avid fans of either. Providing transportation makes the event even more special.

• A coffee table book of a favorite city, sports or autos is a nice touch assuming you know their interest in those topics. (I have client who is a car buff so his favorite books are about automobiles.)

• Food is always a nice gift especially when you know the recipient is health conscious and you acknowledge that with the food you send.

From no eyebrows, to very thick ones – they make a statement. The key element is that eyebrows have definition and frame the eye.

Sometimes the natural brow color needs to be enhanced with color brow powder. The eyebrows can also be colored when the hair is being colored.

Always get an opinion from a professional about the shape. Be comfortable with the opinion and do not proceed if you feel the change is too drastic. Instead, experiment with brow pencil or powder first. A well-shape eyebrow will capture your eyes which will help engage those you are speaking with. It will definitely make a positive statement.

Surveys have shown women who wear makeup are seen as more confident by the C-Suite. However, I am not advocating that women should wear foundation, blush, lipstick etc. What I am suggesting is that there are many alternatives besides lipstick. Many companies such as Burt’s Bees, Origins and Benefit provide color in their lip balms. A little blush on the cheeks and color on the lips will create a polished finish.

For those who have small shaped lips and would like to wear a lipstick but have experienced too much color on the lips, consult with a makeup professional to help you choose a color with a natural look.

Wearing the same color on their lips as their natural lip color has worked for many of my clients. It completes a finished look that is not garish.

Some folks have a natural smile and it comes easily. Then, there are folks like yours truly who needs to be made aware of smiling. You can pretty much tell by my eye and head movements that I am engaged. But for many, it’s the facial expressions that reveal all.

Today, we had a situation where one person kept pushing on a subject and other person responded that the topic was not negotiable. At first, the dialog was conversational. It turned when senior person’s dead pan facial expression and stiffness in the body language became visible.

The other person kept the subject alive until the senior person said, “Note my facial expression and body language. You should be aware that you are not reading my message.”

The other facial expression is the poker face. Most folks perceive this means that the person does not want to be engaged and/or is bored.

The key to successful engagement is based on what your eyes and facial expressions say.

The rule of thumb for men is that the last button on a jacket should be left unbuttoned. A jacket should be buttoned when standing and unbuttoned when sitting. In casual settings, a blazer or jacket can be left unbuttoned when standing. The double breasted jacket is always buttoned when standing up.

The rule of thumb for women is for the one button (if a one button jacket) to be buttoned when standing and unbuttoned when sitting. When there is more than one, which should be unbuttoned or buttoned depends on the body type of the person wearing the jacket.