There are times in this life of ours when things get a little hectic. We have deadlines, we have babies, we have things to do that we don’t really feel like doing. A number of things have piled up this week that have made sanity purely optional. Perhaps this sounds familiar.

When things start to look particularly bleak, we have a couple of very simple tried-and-true tricks that keep us productive, motivated, creative, and balanced in mind and body. Because of their extraordinary efficacy, we don’t actually use these tricks unless we must. There’s no need to dilute their powers with our run-of-the-mill everyday demands.

Until now, we’ve kept them under wraps. We’re a little bit afraid that if the word gets out, either A) they will somehow mysteriously lose their powers, or B) everyone will put them to use and we won’t feel special anymore. But in the democratic, free-market spirit (is there such a thing?) (or should I call it the socialist spirit?) we will share them with you here today.

Matthew and I each have our individual approach, but it’s pretty much the same concept.

Mine is called “Genius Hat”:

Matthew’s is called “Suck it Up Socks”:

As you can see, there’s at least one skeptic in the family.

Alden started out a believer in the Suck It Up Socks method.

She did, however, find that it was pretty hard to get around.

More recently, she tried out the Genius Hat.

Too damn hot in this weather.

So she’s settled on a more lightweight, easy-to-maneuver option, the Dinosaur Hat.

She might just be smarter than the both of us.