If A is a success in life, then A equals X plus Y plus Z, where X is work, Y is play, and Z is keeping your mouth shut.” -Albert Einstein. This tart statement by no less than Albert Einstein ties in perfectly to this week’s column on when to know the value of keeping one’s mouth shut.

Learning our way around a kitchen is a necessary skill for basic survival, really. While no one needs to become a gourmet cook, learning basic cooking skills and proper nutrition is a valid use of one's time. This can begin at an early age. When my children were about 3 years old, I had them help in the kitchen.

I had the opportunity to interview Spencer Shulem, a young man who has developed two very successful productivity apps for Apple and might just be living proof that the fruit doesn’t fall far from the tree (he’s my son).

This being my last column of the year 2013, I thought it useful to focus on preparing for the New Year by checking in with intentions made last year.

By this time, if you have been reading for the past three weeks, you should be well prepared for your upcoming move and hopefully ready to settle into your new home. You may have already moved recently and are in the midst of figuring out how to get settled in.

The past two articles in my column explained how to get started in the moving process once you sell your home, and also what to do with those things you need to get rid of. This week is the next part on the subject and I will address moving into your new place. Another issue altogether!

I am moving and have a lot of stuff to get rid of and don’t know how to go about getting rid of it. Some is really nice, and some I don’t think is worth anything. What’s the best way to get rid of this stuff?

I just sold my house and now I have to pack and move out in 30 days. I'm really overwhelmed and don't even know where to begin. What do you suggest?

We spend a lot of time sitting on our bottoms during the work-week – and many more hours even beyond that at times. It’s important to be able to use our computers, but must we always be sitting down? The answer is a resounding ‘NO.’

You may have noticed that managing tasks can be a daunting task (pun intended) – and you are not alone. Most people make the huge mistake of trying to keep everything in their head – remembering a long list of things that they need to do – even keeping an extensive shopping list in their head.