BE MEMORABLE; Be sure you get "Face time" with your Boss. (1 and 2)

It is far better that people link you with something that helps them remember your name than not. Background: When I was in school at Oregon State College, I was planning to be an Ag Teacher. I became acquainted with a young man in our department who was known as "The Goose Man." One day I asked him about the moniker, and he explained that he had written his Master's thesis about geese. Because he was the acknowledged expert, he had gained this unique title. Upon graduation, he was hired to teach Ag at Cave Junction High School. That's between Grant's Pass and the Pacific Ocean. See, after 53 years I not only remember him, but I remember where he was later employed.

In any case, I have discovered that I am known in three different circles for three different things. The first is auto mechanics. I'm a natural at it and have pulled off a number of surprising, as I call them, "Miracle Fixes" Read "The Spanish Mechanic". The second is growing apples. It seems that a lot of people want to grow apples, but they won't take the time to learn how. they find out that I'm a whiz at it and they want to talk to me. the third is Fly fishing. Again most people won't delve into it enough to catch lots of fish. I do, so people want to talk to me. By the way, I write the monthly newsletter for a local Fly fishing Club. The end result is that I have circle of friends/acquaintances that I wouldn't otherwise have.

And a key point here is that it must come to their attention that you are "into" something. No, they cannot tell by looking at you. How to do it? Well, in the case of auto mechanics, fix a friends' problem now and then. When my son went to Duke University, he was the only one in his fraternity who could do it. The word got around, and he was famous.

With regard to growing apples, just give them some "WOW" apples to enjoy. And, in the fly fishing category, I guarantee that they'll notice you catching more fish than they do.

In getting "FACE TIME", You must make sure he/she knows who you are and what you are doing. I also call this "The Pfister Phenomenon." Background: From my first little fleet fighter squadron, I was ordered to VF-121 - the West Coast training squadron for fighters. We had a lot of officers, one of whom was Lt. Jack Pfister. Jack was a top notch fellow, but very quiet and unassuming. One might even say that he hid his candle under the proverbial "bushel." One day, when the CO was working on officer fitness reports, he came to Jack's report and bellowed: "Who the hell is Jack Pfister?" So, because his work was unknown to the CO, Jack did not fare well in comparison with his better known compatriots and he ultimately left the Navy.

REGRETS FOR WHAT I DIDN'T DO FOR MYSELF (3)

I didn't learn to play golf, to play poker, to play bridge, etc., or to dance. Therefore, I took myself out of a number of social situations that would have been very good in which to take part. It really wasn't my fault, having been raised on a small farm that was well outside a small town. but, once I found myself in the navy, I should have jumped in and caught up. I had this illusion, honesty, hard work, good technical skills, etc. were all that was required.

I was wrong!

* One day I asked him about the nick name "The Goose Man" (moniker).