Be polite to everyone. The person you push past may turn out to be the person who sits in next to you. The receptionist you ignore now may someday be your boss. Courtesy will pay you back with rich rewards.

Learn as much as you can about your new environment in advance. Familiarize yourself with the stated values and language of the organization.

Decide what three qualities you want to be known for. This is a basic rule of “personal branding.” Being certain of your three top qualities will allow you to establish a strong platform early on.

Listen for opportunities to connect and then share relevant information about yourself. Don’t wait to be asked about yourself. It’s your job to establish rapport.

Try to speak at the same volume as those in your new environment. Studies show that people respond best to others who speak at the same volume as themselves. Your vocal volume is something you can control, so pay attention to it.

If the transition involves a move to a new city, state, or country, get out and explore. The more you know your way around, the more comfortable you will feel.

Transitions are stressful, so make sure you take care of yourself. Get plenty of rest, eat well and exercise. Now is not the time to crash in the middle of the day from too much sugar or not enough sleep. You want to be alert, refreshed and ready to go.

Just because your environment changes does not mean every aspect of your life has to change with it.

Focusing on this familiarity will still give you that connection to your former situation while transitioning and adapting to a new environment.

Think of it like a security blanket that gives you that safe and calm feeling while you go through something new.

TAKE WHAT IS FAMILIAR AND FIND A WAY TO INCORPORATE IT INTO YOUR NEW ROUTINE OR ENVIRONMENT

If you do not notice any similarities in your new environment, choose something that you truly loved and find a way to add it into your new routine.

Just because your environment or routine changes does not mean you cannot include some old habits—as long as they are good for you, of course.

DEVELOP A NEW ROUTINE AND KEEP AT IT LONG ENOUGH SO IT BECOMES SECOND NATURE AND FAMILIAR

One of the best ways to adapt to a new environment is to start a routine and keep at it for a few weeks until it becomes your new norm.

Instead of always trying a new café every morning for your cup of coffee or going different routes every time you come home from work, stick with the same thing.

Just having one or two things that are consistently regular in your daily life will make you feel a lot more grounded and comfortable in your new surroundings.

DO NOT SHY AWAY FROM TACKLING NEW GROUND AND FORMING NEW ROUTINES. You need to accept the fact that your life is going to include some major changes.

Sometimes settling into a new routine gives you an opportunity to restart your life in a new, and hopefully better direction. Do not be shy to try different things, go to different places and be open minded when it comes to something that you are unsure about. Remember—nothing ventured, nothing gained.

EMBRACE THE UNKNOWN. If you truly want to settle into a new environment, you need to embrace the unknown as if it is an adventure that you have no idea where it will lead you, but it is worth every minute spent on the ride there.

Sometimes one of the best ways to adapt to a new environment is to have a goal that keeps your focus and attention that your life is going through some big changes. Having something to reach for will redirect your attention and keep you from worrying and stressing about these changes.

Try doing something that is completely enjoyable and relaxing, whether it is yoga, photography, sewing or joining a local book club. Time spent doing something you truly enjoy means less time stressing about everything else.

Adapting to a new environment is more about a positive attitude than anything. If it’s your decision for change, see it as your next great adventure.

If it’s your decision for change, see it as your next great adventure. If the change has been forced upon you, make it easier to settle in by accepting that the change is going to happen so you might as well do everything you can to make it easier to deal with.

Concentrate on the positive aspects of your new environment. Big life changes are never easy and making a few mistakes comes with the territory. Relax, take things one day at a time and give yourself time to adjust. Before too long your new environment might just begin to feel a lot like home. 

You gotta follow the white guys. Truly. They've got this thing wired. Too often, we live within their games, so why would you not study what works? Take away the bad stuff - because there's a lot - and use the savvy interesting stuff and figure out how they can apply. It's a good one for the ladies.

Love of country is like love of woman - he loves her best who seeks to bestow on her the highest good.

My father was a stone mason, and a talented amateur pianist and vocalist.

The value of things is not the time they last, but the intensity with which they occur. That is why there are unforgettable moments and unique people!

Careers in virtually all academic disciplines are fostered by being a superstar who knows more about one subject than anyone else in the world.

The truth is, everybody falls into an incinerator of some measure or other. Not literally one. The question is what are you going to do with those bad times? Are you just going to let them gnaw at you?

I choose the places I go to carefully and wisely. I'll rarely go to a shopping mall anymore.

I want a character to wake up one day and feel like, 'I can face it'. That, to me, is happy. I want the characters to rescue themselves, though you use the relationships you have, to make you strong enough to be able to do that.

Technologically, I live in the 17th century; I don't have a computer, I don't have any of that stuff. I don't look at the Internet, although I know people tell me I'm all over it. Somebody told me they Googled me, and they said I was mentioned two million times, some stupid thing... but who cares?

I think marriage is a beautiful thing. I'm still a supporter of it.

I wish I had a twin, so I could know what I'd look like without plastic surgery.

I live in N.Y.C. and walk everywhere, so I like stylish shoes that are comfortable.

I feel that directors at times are like the janitors on the set. I am the secretary, I am the organizer, I am the maid, and I ask if they have eaten or rested. The best things are always out of your control. It's those moments that surpass the imagination that are thrilling.

I like wearing beautiful clothes, but that does not translate into my work. People don't like to see me as a glam doll in my movies. My audience and the media love me with two different perceptions. It's a strange, crazy situation.

My whole right arm is tattooed in honor of 'Wizard of Oz.'

I'm a strong supporter of states' rights to do what they need.

Maybe it's just a personal thing, but I get so much grounding from Iceland because I know it's always going to be there. I have a very happy, healthy relationship with the country, so it's really easy to go everywhere because I always have Iceland to go back to.

We have an immigration system in this country that not only doesn't work, in many cases it doesn't even make any sense.

I've never really considered doing stand up, but I have done readings/spoken word things fairly often in which I'll just tell a bunch of stories and run off at the mouth. I'm a big tangent person.

Thank God I had all these family values or who knows where I'd be now.

Solitude gives birth to the original in us.

Just like children emotions heal when they are heard and validated

The glories of our blood and state, Are shadows, not substantial things; There is no armour against fate, Death lays his icy hand on kings. Scepter and crown must tumble down, And, in the dust, be equal made With the poor crooked scythe and spade.

Veterans have had a long record of leaning towards the Republican Party. I think that's changing. I think that President Obama has the strongest record with veterans among any president in my lifetime.