| How to Be Dependable Posted: 14 Sep 2018 05:00 PM PDT To be more dependable is a noble goal. It requires you to be reliable, consistent, and steady, even in difficult situations. To reach this goal, make sure that you deliver on your promises in a timely manner. Consider carefully what promises you make, and always come through on them. In the end, your actions will show how trustworthy you are. EditChanging Your Habits - Show up on time. If you're supposed to be somewhere, aim to be there right on time. It is better to be early than late. If you know you might run into traffic or other obstacles, leave early to give yourself extra time.[1]
- Being punctual is one of the best ways to show that you are dependable. Even being just a few minutes late can send the wrong message.
- Set alarms on your phone to wake you up in the morning or to remind you when you need to leave.
- If you know you need a lot of time in the morning to get ready, make sure that you wake up early enough to get it done.
- Respond to emails and messages quickly. If you receive an email, phone call, text message, or letter, read it and respond to it within 24 hours. By doing so, you'll make sure that they get the proper response and that you don't forget to reply to important matters.[2]
- If someone calls and you're not available, try sending them an email or text message asking if you can call them back later.
- Set aside 30 minutes in the morning and afternoon to answer all of your emails. This will help you answer them if you are busy throughout the day.
- Fix your mistakes in a timely manner. Occasionally making a mistake doesn't mean that you are not reliable. Just make sure that you accept responsibility for all of your mistakes and offer to fix them as soon as possible.[3]
- For example, if you promised to pick up groceries on the way home and forgot, you might offer to go back out and get them.
- If you made an error on a document at work, tell your boss that you will fix it right away.
- Deliver good work every time. Whether you're helping your friend assemble a TV stand or preparing a presentation at work, always do your best work. Go above and beyond if possible to show that you can perform good work consistently.[4]
- For example, if you are helping someone put up pictures on their wall, take the time to measure out the space and to level out each frame. Don't just put a nail in the wall and walk away.
- Delegate tasks, when you need to. It's hard to be dependable when you've taken on too many responsibilities for one person to handle. Don't be afraid to ask friends, family, or coworkers for help when you're feeling overwhelmed.
- For example, you might say to your spouse, "Can you pick up the kids from school today? I promised my boss I would get this report done by the end of the day, so I may need to work a little late."
- Be patient with yourself. Changing your habits takes time and commitment. In order to change your habits permanently, you will need to keep at it over a long period of time. Studies show that, on average, it takes 66 days of daily, persistent effort to change a habit.[5]
- It's likely that you'll have setbacks along the way, and that's ok—just try to identify what caused the setback, so that you can avoid it happening again.
EditKeeping Your Promises - Agree to do things that you know you can complete. When you first accept promises, only say yes if you are certain that you can, without a doubt, complete the task. If you are uncertain, ask the other person for more time to think about the request.[6]
- Look over your schedule and other commitments. Check to make sure you have time to complete the task.
- Ask questions about the task so that you know what you are taking on. When must it be done by? How much time will it take? What exactly do you have to do?
- Don't give up another promise to complete a new one. For example, don't promise your coworker that you will fix their computer if it means you will miss your child's baseball game.
- Avoid exaggerating about what you can do. For example, if your boss asks you to complete a report by the end of the week, don't say "I can have it done in 2 days" if you need more time.
- Learn to say no if you can't accept the responsibility. Saying no does not make you unreliable. Instead, it shows that you understand the importance of the request. If you don't have time, energy, or the resources to do something, it is okay to say you can't do it.[7]
- You don't need to say "no" directly. You can use a softer rejection, such as "I don't think I can do that" or "I can't make that promise."
- Don't make false excuses to get out of something. Be honest about why you can't do it. For example, instead of lying to your friend that you have an appointment the same day as their move, you can just say something like, "I'm sorry, but I can't help."
- Write down your promises in a planner or schedule. If you've got a lot going on, it can be easy to simply forget or lose track of your promises and commitments. Once you have committed to something, write it down. Set aside time to complete it. Use the same planner, calendar, or app to keep track of all of your commitments, so that you have a realistic idea of what you need to do every day.[8]
- For example, you might write, "Housesit for Maria next week" or "Deliver the cake to John on the 23rd."
- If you made a more abstract promise, such as to be more considerate or less disruptive, you might give yourself a daily reminder, such as "Tell Shona how much she means to me" or "Remember to be quiet when you get home tonight."
- Give yourself a timeline to complete the task. You might break up the task a little bit every day or write down the date it is due. If it is on a specific day, block off how much time you will need to prepare and get it done.
- Set SMART goals for yourself. It's easier to manage goals and commitments if you keep them SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound). Instead of committing to something vague and overwhelming (e.g., "I'm going to be more productive at work"), make a more specific promise that meets these criteria.[9]
- For example, instead of setting a general productivity goal, you might say, "I'm going to finish these 2 major reports by the end of this week."
- Cancel in advance if necessary. Sometimes, things outside of our control prevent us from keeping our promises. In this case, it is best to give the other person as much time as possible to know. As soon as you know you can't come through, contact the other person so that they can make other arrangements.[10]
- Apologize and explain why you're not able to do it. For example, you might say, "I know you needed me to run the bake sale table on Saturday, but my husband came down with a cold, and I don't think I can do it. I am so sorry."
- If possible, suggest someone else who might be able to help. For example, you might say, "I think Sally has a truck that will fit your couch. Do you want me to ask her if she can do it?"
- Try not to wait until the night before or day of to tell the other person, unless absolutely necessary.
EditBecoming Trustworthy - Depend on others. One of the best ways to show that you can be trusted is to trust other people. By asking them for help, they'll understand that you trust them, and that can help them learn to trust you.[11]
- For example, if you're struggling with a computer error, don't pretend that you know how to fix if you don't. Ask your coworker for help.
- If you're short on money for lunch, ask a friend to chip in and promise to pay them later. Just make sure to follow through and pay them back!
- Build strong relationships with other people. Trust is a slow process. To develop trust over time, work on creating strong relationships with friends, colleagues, family members, and other loved ones. Be there for them when they need you, and celebrate their successes with them.[12]
- Mark down birthdays, anniversaries, and other important dates in your calendar so that you don't forget them. Always remember to send a card or gift.
- Having strong relationships shows people that others trust you. It also demonstrates that you can develop long-term bonds and promises.
- Reach your own goals. Consistency is an important way of expressing how reliable you are. Set a goal for yourself and achieve it. Work towards it every day. Completing it will show other people that you can come through on big projects and goals.[13]
- For example, if your new year's resolution is to become fitter, go to the gym 3-5 days a week. Take an exercise class or learn to lift weights. Keep at it until you reach your fitness goals. Others will admire you for your success.
- If you keep talking about climbing a mountain, start taking steps to get there. Join a rock climbing gym, train on smaller hikes, or take a vacation out to the mountains.
- Tell the truth when asked. If someone asks you for your opinion or advice, give them the honest truth. If you lie and they find out, they may no longer ask you to help them or to give them feedback. Remember you can be both honest and polite.[14]
- For example, if your friend asks you for constructive criticism on their novel, be honest and thorough. You can still be nice and compliment their work, but make sure that they get the feedback that they want. For example, you might say something like, "Your story is really compelling, and I enjoyed it! I noticed a few plot holes though that I wanted to ask you about."
- Avoid gossiping or spreading rumors. If someone tells you something personal, private, or confidential, don't spread it around. Gossiping can be a major breach of trust. If you do it, others may not confide in you as much anymore.[15]
- For example, if your sister tells you that she is getting a divorce, don't tell the rest of the family unless she says that it is okay. She may be waiting to tell other people for a reason.
- Respect other people's property. Other people will have an easier time trusting you if you are careful with their things. Always return borrowed items promptly and in good condition. If people know that they can trust you with their possessions, they will be more likely to let you borrow or use their things in the future.
- This also goes for money. If someone lends you money, do your best to pay them back as soon as possible or within the agreed-upon timeframe.
- It can take time to show to others that you are dependable. Remain consistent with your actions to prove that you can be trusted.
- Actions speak louder than words. No matter what you say, it means nothing unless you actually do it.
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| How to Make a Pergola with a Hidden Cat Ladder Posted: 14 Sep 2018 09:00 AM PDT A pergola in your garden is a great way to get lots of green in a small space. Wouldn't it be great to combine that with a cat ladder to turn it into a cat jungle gym and lookout post? This design can serve as inspiration for your own construction. It is fairly complex but that is mostly because the materials used came from the discount corner of the local DIY store. You might be able to find materials that fit a lot better together from the outset so you can get the same result in a simpler way. Having said that, this design is rock solid and will withstand lots of abuse by your cat. - Know what you're building. This design consists of 3 parts: the existing pergola poles, the steps of the cat ladder, and the trellises (shaped like ice popsicles).
- The cat ladder steps are attached to the pergola poles. The trellises are attached to the steps.
- The plant container in between the pergola poles was built separately and is not connected to the poles. It is a box that is simply pushed in between the poles.
- Make the steps. The base of the cat ladder step design is the hardwood beam which will be screwed into the pergola posts and provide strength.
 - Saw the beam to the appropriate length depending on how much space you want between the trellis and the wall/pergola post. You need to take into account a minimum width so your cat can actually fit there. 25 cm is about the minimum size.
- Saw the garden plank that will serve as the plateau to size. Screw it to the hardwood beam with two screws making sure that the trellis-end is perfectly level..
- Measure the width of your trellis. Divide this by half and deduct half of the width of the pergola pole. This is the size of the small wooden batten that will go at the trellis end. It is best to dry-fit to make sure. Screw the wooden batten in place with one screw in the hardwood beam and one screw in the plateau plank. Pre-drill as appropriate.
- In this design, the garden wood planks were not wide enough to cover the width of the trellis and the wooden battens were therefore a necessity. Your design might not need them.
- A cat ladder step that goes on the right has a mirrored design to one that goes on the left.
- Make the ice popsicles. It's trellis time! Measure how far up you want your trellis to go (all the way up is recommended). Your trellises will probably not be long enough, so you will need to put them on stilts.
- Measure how much extra length you need and saw a hardwood beam to size.
- Use a connector plate at the back and screw the beam to the trellis. Screw in a few extra screws from the top if needed. Important note: The "ice popsicle" will feel rather flimsy. The pole it is supposed to rest on might wobble a bit. That's fine at this stage. Later on, when everything is put together, it will be very strong.
- This trellis was stained with a dark wood stain. This is not needed, but makes it look a bit better and will help hide the attachments needed later on.
- Build the cat ladder. Time to build the cat stairway to the sky!
 - Measure where the cat steps go on the pergola poles. About 45 cm between every step works fine, but you can deviate. Plan the steps left, right, left etc. all the way up.
- Attach the steps to the pergola posts with screws. There are several ways to do this, but here is a method where you don't really have to measure very much beforehand and still get very good results:
- Take the cat ladder step you already made. Place it against the pole where you want it. Drill the first hole through the hardwood beam of the step into the hardwood beam of the pergola post at the end that is furthest away from you (the end that is nearest to the wall).
- Attach the cat ladder step with a screw but do not tighten it all the way yet. Just enough so it is stuck but you can still move it.
- Adjust the cat ladder step until it is nice and level. You can move it up and down a bit because there is only one screw attached. Use a spirit level if needed.
- Drill a second hole next to the first one.
- Attach using a screw and tighten both screws completely.
- Even though this is a strong connection, there might still bit a little bit of give. Don't worry about it. It will be very strong when finished.
- Attach the ice popsicles trellis.
- Put the trellis popsicle up against the cat ladder steps.
- Drill holes in the frame of the trellis where the wooden batten will connect with the trellis.
- Surprise!! Garden wood usually isn't very straight. You might need little wooden connector pieces (just saw some little pieces of wooden battens to size and squeeze them in between) or little metal o-rings to make sure that the fit is good and tight.
- Try to attach the popsicles to each step with two screws if possible. One screw for every end of the wooden batten at every cat ladder step. One screw at the back and through the edge of the frame of the trellis and one on the front somewhere in the middle. It might not be feasible for every step, but you should be able to get most of them. The important thing is that this will provide the overall strength of the structure. When you are finished it should feel very strong.
- Make the base. You are nearly there! In this design, because of the plant container in between the posts, the trellis popsicle is very strong higher up where it is attached to the cat ladder steps, but the base is still wobbly. Time to fix that. If you don't have a plant container and your steps go from the ground up, you can skip this step.
- Saw a hardwood beam that will go on the outside of both the pergola pole and the trellis popsicle pole.
- Saw a hardwood beam that will go on the inside- in between- the two poles.
- Attach the inside wooden beam to the outside wooden beam using screws.
- Attach the hardwood structure you made to the poles. It already looks a bit like a platform.
- Saw the garden wood platform/cat ladder step to size.
- Attach the platform to the hardwood beams with screws.
- Marvel at your lovely creation. You are done!!
- You can add a plank between the two top cat ladder steps to create a platform your kitty can use.
- Use cat friendly plants of course. This example uses jasmine, but not all jasmines are cat-friendly, so do your research.
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| How to Clean Jeep Soft Top Windows Posted: 14 Sep 2018 01:00 AM PDT Most soft top jeeps have plastic windows that, though unique and stylish, are a bit tricky to clean. Thankfully, there is a simple process you can use to clear up your jeep's windows without damaging them. EditClearing up a Cloudy Window - Wipe the window down with water. Dip a fresh microfiber towel in water and wring out the cloth until the fabric is damp but not soaked. Then, fold the towel and wipe it across the plastic window. After every 2 to 3 passes, switch to a new, clean side of the towel.[1]
- If you'd like, you can spray the window with a cleaning solution like Invisible Glass or Plexus before wiping it down.[2]
- To avoid damaging your window, do not wipe it using circular motions.
- Rub a plastic repairing solution into the window. Place a few drops of a plastic repairing liquid onto a clean microfiber towel. Then, rub the liquid into the window using long, straight line motions. Repeat the process until the window appears clear.[3]
- This process should normally take between 5 and 10 minutes.
- Look for plastic repairing solutions, such as Plastex Liquid, at auto repair stores.
- Do not rub your window using circular motions as doing so could damage the plastic material.
- Dry the window with a microfiber towel if necessary. In most cases, your window will dry naturally as you rub the repair liquid into it. However, if your window is still wet after applying the solution, blot the moist areas dry with a clean microfiber towel.[4]
- This is particularly important when cleaning the interior side of the window since you don't want water or plastic repair solution dripping into your car.
- Cover your window with a sealing spray. After washing your window, grab a bottle of RaggTopp Protectant or a similar sealing solution. Then, spray it onto your window, let it set for 5 to 10 minutes, and wipe it off with a clean microfiber towel.[5]
- This will give the window an extra layer of defense against sun rays, water, and other environmental hazards.
- Do not use window cleaners containing alcohol or ammonia. When washing your soft top jeep window, do not, under any circumstance, use an alcohol or ammonia based cleaning solution like Fantastik, Windex, or Formula 409. These substances will make the plastic dry and brittle, leading to discoloration and cracks.[6]
- In addition, stay away from furniture polish sprays like Pledge since they can tint your window yellow.
- Avoid paper towels and terry towels. When washing your jeep, stay away from paper towels, terry towels, and other coarse fabrics. These materials can leave lots of residue on your window and, in particularly bad scenarios, may even scratch it up.[7]
- If you have to, you can use a paper towel or terry towel to dry your window. Just make sure that, instead of rubbing it on the window, you gently dab it onto the plastic material.
EditCleaning the Soft Top Fabric - Rinse the hood with water. Using a hose, rinse off the entire soft top hood with water. Make sure to soak the fabric thoroughly, that way you loosen up the material and remove as much dirt, grime, and gunk as possible.[8]
- If you'd like, you can use a power washer instead of a hose. Just make sure to hold the nozzle at least away from the soft top to avoid damaging it.
- Clean the fabric with auto shampoo. Spray the soft top thoroughly with either auto shampoo, like Chemical Guys Foaming Soap, or a vehicle fabric cleaner, like Ammo Shag Fabric Cleaner. Then, rub the solution with an interior cleaning brush to agitate it. When you're finished, rinse off the shampoo with clean water.[9]
- For the best results, move your brush in straight line motions.
- To get dirt out of a corner or seam, tap the area with the end of your brush.
- For most jeeps, a thorough cleaning should take around 20 minutes.
- You can purchase auto shampoo and vehicle fabric cleaner at auto supply stores.
- Scrub the fabric with a stiff brush to remove deep stains. Over time, stubborn patches of soil, bird droppings, or green mold may stain your jeep's soft top fabric. To remove these patches, shampoo the affected areas and gently scrub them with a stiff bristle brush. This will force the stains up, creating a paste-like substance that you can rinse off with water.[10]
- As with your interior cleaning brush, move the stiff bristle brush in straight line motions for the best results.
- Use this technique sparingly to avoid damaging the material.
- Dry the fabric with a shammy towel. To dry the fabric, purchase a shammy cloth like The Absorber or Mighty Cleaner. Then, press the towel down into your soft top fabric to dry it off. When you've removed as much water as you can, park your jeep in a warm place so it can finish drying.[11]
- To prevent mold, only air dry your jeep after you've removed as much water as possible.
- If you'd prefer, you can use a microfiber towel instead. However, make sure you use and wash the cloth a few times beforehand, otherwise it may leave unwanted particles on the hood.
- Do not use a terry towel or paper towels to dry your hood. Doing so will leave small amounts of residue that are difficult to remove.
EditWaterproofing Your Soft Top Hood - Mask the edges of your hood with tape. If your jeep has a canvas or vinyl soft top, you'll need to coat the material with a hydrophobic protective spray to keep mold-causing moisture out. Before using the spray, however, make sure to cover the seams between your car's hood and body with masking tape.[12]
- Masking your jeep will prevent the hydrophobic solution from affecting your paint job.
- If any hydrophobic solution gets on your jeep's body, rub it off with a cloth dipped in pre-wax cleaner or polish.
- Spray on a canvas hydrophobic solution if you have a canvas hood. Purchase a can of canvas-specific hydrophobic spray, such as RaggTopp Protectant, from an auto supply store. When you're ready to spray the car, shake the can for at least 30 seconds and hold it about from the material. Then, spray the hood using straight line motions.[13]
- For the best results, spray on at least 3 coats of protective material. Make sure to let the spray dry for at least 10 minutes between coats.
- Use a vinyl hydrophobic solution if you have a vinyl soft top. Buy a can of RaggTopp Vinyl Protectant, 303 UV Protectant, or a similar vinyl-specific hydrophobic spray. When you're ready to waterproof the car, shake the can for 5 to 10 seconds and spray the solution onto a sponge or foam applicator. Then, rub the solution into the hood using straight line motions and let it set for about 5 minutes.[14]
- When the solution finishes setting, tamp it dry if necessary using a shammy or microfiber towel.
EditSources and Citations EditQuick Summary
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