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

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.

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.

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.

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. 

I loved movies growing up. I went to the movies with my uncle all the time. But being an actor? I didn't even think about it until I was about twenty years old. I took a class at the college I was at. I don't know why - I just wanted to take a class, and I kind of fell in love with it there.

I have no trouble with my sleep, but the amount I have varies from four to eight hours, depending on my schedule.

I believe L. Ron Hubbard resolved the human mind, and in resolving it he has also resolved human pain - that's what I really think has happened here.

A lot of great bluegrass comes out of Kentucky. There's a lot of great music, like the Judds, Billy Ray Cyrus, Ricky Skaggs, and Keith Whitley. There's a lot of bluegrass intertwined with country music.

You come on as a guest. You don't get the girl anymore. But that is our lives. You start off as the boyfriend, then you are the lover, then you are the husband, then you are the father, and then you are the grandfather.

The promise I've tried to honor my entire career, that the rule of law and the design of the founders, right, the oversight of courts and the oversight of Congress will be at the heart of what the FBI does.

If people can just pour into the country illegally, you don't have a country.

The classic Italian green sauce, salsa verde, is easy to make and especially nice in the spring when bunches of fresh herbs start appearing in the farmers market or in your garden.

The pressures of being a parent are equal to any pressure on earth. To be a conscious parent, and really look to that little being's mental and physical health, is a responsibility which most of us, including me, avoid most of the time because it's too hard.

I hate it when people say, Mary Elizabeth, this may be hell, but the movie is going to be sooo good.

The Odyssey is the story of Americans up to the point where they are well-established, and even so it is detached from the historical side.

To wander is to be alive.

I mean, you have to be able - you have to have made the commitment within yourself to do whatever it takes to get the job done and to try to inspire other people to do it, because obviously the first rule is you can't do it by yourself.

Over the years, I would go to my agents, my manager, and I would say, 'Hey, there's this amazing true story about this gay English mathematician who committed suicide in the 1950s.' And they would be like, 'Please don't ever write that script. That is an unmakeable film.'

I remember doing my mosaics or being in my little hiding place behind the couch snooping. I'd get bored sometimes, of course, but I think that's good for a kid, because it forces you to be creative.

I grew up in a home where diamonds were the subject.

I haven't got an opportunity to experiment with the dimensions of my moustache much. But yes, if the role demands, I'm ready to shave it off. I feel it's good to have moustaches for South films, but I'd love to remove my moustache; why not?

All taxpayers feel a tremendous sense of frustration as they see many tens of billions of dollars of bonuses paid to the same mega banks that were on the brink of bankruptcy and were only saved by massive government rescue money and support. We are not satisfied by the fact that many of them have paid the money back, nor should we be.

I don't like sitting still at a desk and often conduct business on my Blackberry or in walking meetings.

There's no better feeling in the world than knowing that my show played a role in stopping animal abuse or alleviating animal suffering.

I don't spend my hours worrying how to slip a social message into my act.

Since I quit banking, all my major life decisions, when they could, have revolved around writing.

I get really excited every time there's a female character who is really strong because a lot of females in film are really soft.

My job now is to work hard and learn all I can.