INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Even when your friends or coworkers are gossiping about others, avoid doing so. Change the subject or walk away. This will show that you take your morals seriously. If your coworkers start bashing your boss, say "Hey, did y'all see last night's episode of Game of Thrones? It was awesome." At work especially, avoid sharing intimate details about your personal life. Avoid talk about sex, in particular. Share that you have a partner, but avoid discussing the fights between you two. Focus instead on discussing work or more lighthearted topics like TV shows or music. When it's appropriate, go ahead and have a little fun. But if you are always joking around about everything, how do you expect to be taken seriously? Know when the situation is right for a joke, but stay serious most of the time in professional settings. While you can use jokes as a self-defense mechanism, doing it too often can make you appear fake. Hyperbole is when you exaggerate for dramatic effect. An example would be describing something as "enormous", when it was really just large. If you use hyperbole too often, people will start to think that you're exaggerating all the time and they won't take your words at face value. Try to be as honest as possible. For instance, if you got minimal sleep the night before, say that you didn't get much sleep instead of saying that you didn't sleep at all. When at work, avoid texting or using your phone for personal calls. People will begin to think that you don't do any work. Instead, focus on the task at hand and take mini breaks as necessary. Sometimes the folks taken the least seriously are those who seem a little too invested in their physical appearance. Avoid applying makeup or fixing your hair in public; try to do so in the restroom instead. Avoid looking into every mirror you pass or taking selfies often.

SUMMARY: Avoid speaking negatively about others. Keep your private life personal. Don't try to make a joke out of everything. Avoid hyperbole. Avoid getting off task while at work. Primp in the restroom only.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Just like physical energy, self-control can be "used up." When you exercise, you reach a point where your muscles are tired out and it becomes difficult for you to continue lifting those weights or running. When you exercise your decision-making skills, the same thing happens to your brain. One study found that students who had to exercise self-control in one task did poorer on a subsequent self-control task than students who hadn't had to flex those self-control "muscles" prior to the activity. So, if you're going to a holiday party with a lot of sweets that you want to resist, make sure you don't also eat lunch in the breakroom near that open box of doughnuts. This constant pressure to resist temptation could wear you down. The same study also found that decision-making can impact your self-control ability. If you know you're going to be in a situation that requires you to make decisions, such as a high-pressure meeting at work, try to avoid other situations that day that will require you to resist temptation. For example, perhaps say no to a big party in the evening if you know you will have to make some decisions earlier in the day. Eating habits can be a big source of temptation, but healthy eating habits can also help you avoid depleting your self-control resources. One study found that students who had not eaten recently did worse on a self-control task than students who had had a recent meal and had stable blood sugar levels. Even a quick refreshment, such as a glass of lemonade or a piece of fruit, can help bring your glucose levels up and improve your self-control. Eating foods high in fiber, such as beans, oats, potatoes, and vegetables, will help your glucose levels stay steady rather than dipping or spiking. They also take longer to digest, which will help you feel fuller longer and can help fight food-related temptation. Stress can use up your self-control resources really quickly. There are several ways you can deal with stress: Try daily techniques such as yoga or tai chi. Meditation helps many people relax. Deep breathing exercises can be helpful, and you can do them anywhere, anytime. Get enough rest. Sleep at least 7-9 hours a night, and keep a sleep routine, even on weekends.

SUMMARY: Keep an eye on your self-control energy levels. Eat well. Avoid stress.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: If the groundcover hasn't yet overtaken a larger area, you can put a stop to it with your own two hands. Identify each part of your lawn or garden where the ivy has spread. Then, starting at the outer edge of the patch, take hold of the thin, snake-like vines with both hands just above the soil. Be sure to wear gloves and long-sleeved clothing to protect your hands while pulling ivy. Certain species, like English ivy, may cause mild skin irritation. Give the ivy a sharp tug from the vine. Most species have shallow root systems, so they should come up with little difficulty. It's important to make sure that the entire root comes free, however, or else there's a chance that the plant could grow back. The roots are identifiable by their thin, fibrous tendrils, and will usually be light brown in color. Use a hand trowel to dig out stubborn roots resting deep in the soil. Any ivy that you find clinging to trees, walls, or tall garden fixtures will need to be cut away promptly to keep it from climbing any higher. Use a pair of gardening shears or a small hand saw to sever the vines 35 feet (0.911.52m) above the base of the structure. Strip the stems from the top down by hand. Once it's separated from the root system, the ivy on the higher part of the structure will die off naturally. Stuff the loose foliage in a plastic leaf bag or similar receptacle and have it hauled away with your trash. Don't attempt to grind or compost ivy. If any part of the plant is left behind, it may kickstart new growth. Be vigilanttry not to leave a single leaf or stem behind. Burning may be the most effective means of destroying the collected ivy once and for all. Just check to make sure that local law permits you to build a fire on your property first.

SUMMARY:
Grab a cluster of ivy. Pull firmly to dislodge the roots. Trim creeping ivy away from vertical structures. Dispose of the ivy carefully.