Tips Learned Along The Way With The Dating Scene

In 2011, I took the time to join Match.com and entered the so called "dating scene." I did take myself a little bit out of my comfort zone by doing so but have learned a lot along the way.

Below are some dating tips I have learned along the way while participating in the "dating scene:"

1) Listen to Your Date - I know this might sound obvious but not listening to your date can be a real turnoff! A good friend of mine mentioned to me once we are given two ears and one mouth so we can listen twice as much as we talk. Take the time to listen to your date and listen to the responses.

2) Look Presentable to Your Date - I understand that might sound obvious as well but try to have a neat appearance when meeting for the first time. On a personal note, I usually leave out my earring, wear a nice pair of shoes and shirt on the first date. You will want to make a good first impression and looking sloppy could leave the wrong impression or make it look like you are not taking the date seriously.

3) Be Polite to the Server - This one mainly applies to restaurants but also can apply to coffee shops and bars. Make sure you are polite to the person who is serving as your waiter, waitress, barista, etc. Being impolite or making rude comments to the server can be a turn off and your date may not want to go out with you again as a result of it.

4) Be Patient After the First Date - If you end up going out with someone you like, you don't have to send multiple texts or put in multiple phone calls the next day. It may be easy to be "Captain Text Message" or "Captain Phone Call" to get your date's attention but keep in mind that it's not the end of the world if you don't get a response right away. Keep in mind that the other person may be tied up with something else and may be waiting for a better time to return your text or call.

5) If Possible, Try and Meet Somewhere That Will Work for the Both of You - When setting up the date, try and find a location that will work out best for the two of you. Meeting at a place that is familiar to both of you and equal distance will make it easier to meet up.

6) If Utilizing Match.com or other Online Dating, Try and Have a Phone Conversation with the Other Person First Before Setting Up a First Date - It is easy to e-mail someone back and forth and set up a date that way, however, speaking to them can be very different. While you may be able to e-mail someone back and forth and keep a conversation going, talking to them may be a different story. You will want to find out if you are able to have a conversation with the person before deciding whether or not to meet up for a first date. You may find you can e-mail the person back and forth but can't hold a conversation.

7) Focus On the Person You Are on a Date With, Not Someone From the Past - Take the time to get to know the date sitting in front of you and try not to focus or spend a lot of time discussing an ex from the past. It may be easy to bring up a bad relationship but it may come across as whining to your date. Building a relationship starts with taking the time to know the person in front of you.

Who To Thank At The End Of The Year

It's no secret that the end of 2011 is coming to a close and many take time to reflect and look back on the year around the holidays. Looking at how far you have come can help you set your goals for the following year. Setting your goals for the upcoming year is useful but don't forget to take the time to thank those who helped you along the way in 2011. While sending out your holiday greetings, take several moments to thank those who have helped you personally or professionally during the past year.

When making out your list of people to thank, think of the following questions:

Who Really Helped Me Grow In My Professional Career During 2011?

Take a few moments to think of network contacts, people at work, or anyone else who helped you grow in your profession during the past year. Chances are, there was someone who helped you develop your skill set or helped you grow in your current position.

Who Really Helped You Grow As A Person In Your Personal Life?

I know I have a lot of people to thank in this category. A couple of friends of mine really helped me grow as a person in my personal life and I am grateful for the help they provided. Take a few moments to look back on those who have helped develop as a person. This may be someone who helped you with a personal relationship, be more comfortable with others or introduced you to a hobby.

Who Went Out Of His Or Her Way To Do Something Special?

Was there someone who included you in a special event? Was there someone who invited you to his or her wedding or let you be apart of the wedding party? Was there someone who went out of his or her way so you could participate in an event or hobby? These are some questions you can ask yourself when trying to come up with people for this category.

Getting to Know Someone - Helpful Tips

Taking the time to build a relationship can be helpful and it must be done properly. There are instances in which having a key relationship can help and being able to build it will help later on. Being able to meet someone is the first step but taking the time to build that relationship is even more important.

Below are some tips on building a relationship with someone:

1) Take the Time to Listen- It's easy to provide someone with your own verbal autobiography during the first meeting, however, that will likely bore the other person and prohibit a relationship from developing. Take the time to listen to the other person in the conversation and inquire more. You don't need to interrogate the other person but take the time to listen and show an interest

2) Find a Common Way to Keep in Touch - Someone prefer phone calls, others prefer e-mails, some prefer texts, the list goes on. Take the time to find a way to keep in touch with the person and find the method that will work for him or her. You don't have to bombard someone with multiple e-mails, texts or calls to get a response. Find the method that works best and remember to be patient.

3) If Possible, Try and Find Common Ground - It's not always easy to find common ground with someone and in some instances, you may not have anything in common with the other person. If you can, try and find a common interest or passion. It will not only serve as a conversation starter but opportunities to build that relationship.

4) Be Respectful to the Other Person - This does sound obvious but realize that certain comments or reacting a certain way to someone's comment could be a turnoff. Be respectful to the other person's beliefs, positions, backgrounds, etc. when developing a relationship. Make sure to be open minded as well.

Rules for Meeting a New Person (Can Also Be Used for Dating)

Whether it is for business or for personal reasons, meeting new people is essential in life. Taking the time to develop relationships with others can be beneficial for business and in your personal life.

Below are some tips to use when meeting someone for the first time (for those of you interest in dating, these rules can apply as well):

1) Take the Time to Listen to the Other Person - It's easy to provide someone with your own personal verbal autobiography, however, that doesn't show an interest in the person you are trying to build a relationship with. The other person will probably become bored easily and will not want to further the relationship. Instead of talking about yourself, take the time to listen to what the other person has to say.

2) Show an Interest in the Other Person - Take the time to learn about the other person's interests, passions in life, goals, hobbies, etc. This will make the other person feel more comfortable with you and will make for a better conversation.

3) Eye Contact - When you don't look at the other person in the eye, he or she will notice. You may not think so but eye contact can be very important.

4) Be Respectful to the Other Person and Those Around You At the Time of the Meeting - This may sound obvious but being disrespectful to the other person or those around you at the time of the meeting can be a huge turn off. Small things such as a cell phone or pager going off, constantly texting during the meeting, or answering a call during the meeting can be a turn off to someone. If the person is taking time out of his or her day to meet you, be respectful and do not make the person feel like you aren't willing to pay attention to the conversation.

Taking Time to Volunteer Can Help AYou Meet People

No matter how old you are, taking the time to meet other people is always essential. Getting out of the apartment or house and meeting new people is a great way to create balance in life and give you something to look forward to. It provides us an opportunity to make new friends and other contacts in life. One of the best ways to meet new people is through volunteer work.

Even though it can be a lot of work, volunteer work provides different opportunities to meet new people and can come in many different variations. When volunteering, you have an opportunity to meet and work with new people and there are different projects you can become involved with. Some people enjoy doing charity work, some enjoy working at local food banks and hospitals, some coach local sports teams, etc. There is a wide range of volunteer work you can do and the opportunities to meet new people is always plentiful.

Outside of work, I enjoy volunteering my time to take pictures at Solon High School football games and sporting events. It not only provides me an opportunity to do the type of photography I love but have had a great time meeting the people who work and attend these events. I have enjoyed meeting the parents, athletic directors, coaches, band directors and different members of the media. Taking time on a regular basis to do this has given me the opportunity to meet others and enjoy something I love.

When doing your volunteer work, take the time to say hello to others and don't afraid to introduce yourself. It's easy to walk in, do what you are assigned to do and walk out without saying hello, however, it will leave a better impression if you take a few minutes to say hello those you are working with.

For example, whenever I take pics at a Solon High football game, I take the time to say hello to the various people who attend and work at the games. I take the time to say hello to the people working the gates, the people working the sideline markers on the field, the coaches (usually after the game), and other members of the media. That way, it provides these people with a friendly face for future games and shows an interest in them.

By taking the time to volunteer, you are making an effort to meet new people.

Two Tips For Getting To Know Someone

Taking the time to get to know someone my be an intimidating process and nerve racking. If it is someone you would really like to know personally such as a good business contact or on the personal side, a date, being nervous and wanting to make a good first impression is natural. Making a wrong impression could set things in the wrong direction and close the door in the future. Making the right impression can be done with two simple tips; taking the time to listen and showing an interest in the other person.

When meeting someone for the first time, it is easy to fall into one of the biggest traps in a conversation, which is giving someone your own verbal autobiography. It's easy to want to tell someone all of your accomplishments, hobbies and passions in life, however, doing too much of it could bore the other person. Spending too much time on yourself could set things in the wrong direction.

During your initial encounter, take time to listen to the other person. While it may sound obvious, not listening will make it harder to have a conversation and make it hard to get to know someone. Take the time to listen to what the other person has to say, how he or she answers your questions and listen to the responses. By listening, it will give you other areas to talk about and make for a better conversation.

In addition to listening, show an interest in the other person. It's one thing to listen to someone but showing an interest in someone else will help make for a better conversation as well. Listen to the responses and show an interest in what the other person has to say.

On a recent trip to St. Louis to visit my sister, I had an opportunity to meet a lot of her friends I had not met before and had to utilize both tips when conversing with them at parties. In one instance, I met someone who plays in the same orchestra my sister plays in on the side.

During this conversation, I took the time to listen to what this person had to say and showed an interest in her responses. I'm not a classical music buff but didn't need to have a conversation with her about it. By taking the time to listen and show interest, I was able to learn how she got started playing viola, how long she has been playing for, how she got started with the same orchestra my sister is apart of and the different concert venues the orchestra uses. With very little knowledge on classical music, I was still able to have a conversation with this person because I took the time to listen to her and showed an interest in what she had to say.

While meeting someone for the first time can be nerve racking, taking the time to listen and show an interest can help lay the foundation for a great conversation.

Being Able to Do Something You Love No Matter What...Priceless

The wind was blowing and there was a chance of rain when I walked into the Twinsburg high school football stadium on Friday night for the Twinsburg vs Solon matchup. I had heard showers might be on the way, the wind was going to pick up and that the night was going to be a cool, fall evening in middle October. I was dressed in layers, had my hiking boots on and a camera on my side. I could hear the wind tussling and saw the skies darken but I wasn't afraid of the bad weather that was predicted to come.

Since I was a freshman in high school, I have spent numerous Friday nights walking into stadiums on nights like this one to watch a game. I've sat through rain, sleet, snow, and cold temperatures over the years. I've been through brutal weather before and this particular night was looking to be a cold evening on the sidelines.

Even though I knew it was going to be a cold night with the wind blowing and a chance of rain, I wasn't afraid. I knew the risk I was taking by being out there and had my cowboy hat, my hooded sweatshirt, a warm coat and my hiking boots to protect me from the elements.

Best of all, I had one a companion that has seen lots of weather like this over the years and was happy it was with me. That companion was my camera.

When I looked at the weather reports, I could have easily skipped the game and stayed home but I didn't want to. Even when the weather is poor, I love being able to see a great Friday night football game in person and on the sidelines. By adding on my passion of photography on top of it, I always have something to look forward to on Friday night and cannot wait to catch the game.

While the wind blew and the cold set in, I was happy standing on the sideline with my camera in hand to catch the game. Being able to participate in an activity I love at a function I enjoy going to makes it easy for me to stand on the sidelines in different weather conditions. Catching the action through the lens and sharing it later on makes every week enjoyable.

As overtime ended and Solon walked away with the victory, I walked back to my car and put the camera away. I had been out in the elements and standing for close to three hours but still had a smile on my face. I spent time doing something I love and it was well worth it.

College Students: Getting Involved=Getting to Know Other People

As a student enrolled in a four year college, obtaining a degree and starting a career is the ultimate goal. Taking four years to earn a degree in a specific field of interest is the goal for college students and lots of time is spent in the classroom during this four year period.

While the time spent inside the classroom and studying is always important, what you do outside of your classes is equally important. Studying is always a must but taking the time to get involved with campus activities has the biggest benefit of getting to know other people.

By taking time to get involved, you not only give yourself something to look forward to, you also can provide yourself with a group of friends. The best ways to meet people on a college campus is to get involved with different student activities and you may find the people you are doing these activities with can become some of your best friends.

While building a friendship base through student activities is a benefit, getting involved with other organizations on campus will help you meet other people who work on campus. For example, when I served as the Promotions Director for Otterbein's campus radio station WOBN-FM (www.wobn.net), I often had to work with other departments and organizations for some of our events. I had to work with the food services department at times, helped planned an event with admissions, and the Campus Programming Board. With each organization I worked with, it provided me with another opportunity to meet people who worked in some of the other departments on campus. It helped me get to know other people around campus and more people had a better idea who I was as a result.

By taking the time to get involved, you not only can meet new friends but others on campus as well.

Combining Two Passions

While growing up, high school football was a big part of my life. I never played a down of organized football at all but found several different ways to follow my hometown Solon Comets. As a middle school student, I often went to games with friends and in high school, I helped the Solon Community Television station crew with televising the games by either serving as a cameraman or play-by-play announcer. Whenever the fall came around, being at a football field on Friday night was always a fun way to start the school year and another season.

In college, I didn't cover as many Friday night games but managed to work on the WOCC-TV3 crew for games or called them for WOBN-FM at Otterbein College. I didn't have as many Friday night games to cover and even though I was two hours away from home, being out in the crisp air helping to cover a game made me feel like I was at home again.

When college was over, I managed to make it to a couple of Solon football games but wanted something a little more. I enjoyed watching the games from the stands but I couldn't always find someone who wanted to go and it was much different then doing play-by-play or working on a TV crew.

About a year after leaving college, I decided to take my camera with me to a Saturday afternoon game Solon was playing to take pictures. The game was at Shaker Heights and with it being sunny, all I wanted to do was take a couple of pictures. Photography had developed into a passion of mine in college and I figured I might as well take some shots if I was going to the game.

Even though it wasn't a Friday night showdown, being on the sideline and taking the photos helped fulfill the emptiness and need to contribute. It helped me get into the game, learn the nuances of doing sports photography and I received a warm reception when I posted the shots on Facebook.

Not too long after that game, I traveled to Hudson for another Solon away game and brought the camera with me again. I managed to get on the sidelines for the game and had as much fun as I did the week before. The pictures received a warm reception again and I was asked if I could come to more games in the future.

In my third season as a photographer for Solon football, combining a childhood passion with my love of photography helped filled the void I had felt when I left college. Taking the pictures each week gives me something to look forward to, gives me an opportunity to do the photography I love and I have enjoyed meeting the players, coaches and parents. Taking the time to combine one passion I wanted to keep apart of my life with another I wanted to do more of has made the world of a difference.

Ten Years Ago

Ten years ago this very day, I was a high school sophomore at Solon High School. Nothing felt different about that particular morning. I woke up, had my breakfast and headed off to school as usual. At the time, it felt a normal day.

Hours after I walked through the doors of the school and to my first class, I would find out why I would never forget that day.

While sitting in third period French, my teacher overheard another classroom across the hall. The teacher in that classroom was talking about two airplanes, New York City and the Pentagon. How these correlated was unknown to me until my teacher walked across the hall to find out.

“Students, there has been an attack on New York City and the Pentagon.”

It didn’t register the first time I heard it. All I could feel was shock and the halls were quieter as I walked to my next class.

As I walked through the halls, I noticed every television set was on and the same horrific images kept showing over and over again.

“Could this really be happening?”

That was one of the thoughts running through my head as I saw the images of the towers, the Pentagon and heard the news of Flight 93 landing in Pennsylvania. The images and the footage were repeated over and over and the nightmare never ended.

I’ll never forget my hands shaking as I opened my car door to drive home. I wanted to be with my parents that night and knew the same images were going to be shown at home.

Lots of innocent lives were lost that day and the world changed forever.

As the days passed since 9/11, my dad made a suggestion:

“Jeff, how about we go to the hardware store and buy an American flag?”

Within minutes, he and I both were in the car and we picked out an American flag that has flown in our yard since the aftermath of that horrific day.

I’m ten years older now and have not forgotten the horror, the anger and the pain I felt that day. I’ll never forget the horrific images on television, the Internet and the paper and wondering how the attack happened. A lot has changed in ten years as I am old enough to vote, have graduated college, have purchased my first vehicle and have begun a career but the sadness I felt that day is a memory that always remains.

On the eve of the tenth year anniversary, I flipped on a special regarding the World Trade Center. My dog Sidney, who is a little over a year old, was sleeping nearby until the image of the towers falling came on. I froze within seconds of re-living the image again and Sidney came right by my side. Sidney wasn’t alive ten years ago but knew I was affected by the image.

I will also never forget how the nation came together, how the American flag became more then a symbol for me, and I still send prayers to those who lost their lives on that very day.

We Will Never Forget

We will never forget

http://youtu.be/xFrwQpQCASU

Missing The Shots You Don't Take

"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take." - Wayne Gretzky

As a hockey player, Gretzky knew that not taking a shot on net wouldn't help his team score the goals it needed to win games. Gretzky found different ways to create opportunities in front of the net with this motto and is one of the many reasons he is a legend in the hockey world.

Even if you have never laced up a pair of skates or never play the game of hockey, this motto can be used in your own life.

When searching for a job, you won't make any progress if you don't take the time to send your resume out, network, or meet others. A prospective employer will never consider you for a position if you never take the time to send in your resume to him or her. A networking contact will never meet with you if you never take the opportunity to introduce yourself. Taking the opportunity that is in front of you can lead to bigger dividends later on.

On a personal level, one example where I took the opportunity in front of me occurred over a year ago when Terry Pluto, the famed Cleveland sportswriter, was writing a book about the Cleveland Browns. I have been a Browns fan my entire life and saw Pluto was interested in having fans submit stories to possibly be used in the book.

At this point, I could have taken that attitude that the chances of my story getting used were too small and why bother putting the time into it. Instead, I figured that taking the small chance I had was better then not taking the shot at all. After taking several minutes to write what I wanted, I submitted in the story.

Months later, I received an e-mail from Pluto informing me my story was used. The chances of him using it originally may have been small, however, taking that shot paid off in the end.

When you have an opportunity in front of you, realize that the shot you don't take will not get you the result you want in the end.

College Freshmen: Get Involved!

Moving away from home for the first time can be scary for a college freshman. Packing and moving away from friends, family and familiarity can be intimidating and nerve racking. Having to start over isn't always easy but isn't impossible. Taking the time to meet others and getting involved early on can make a huge difference to the beginning of your college career.

When I moved away for college at Otterbein, I'll admit I was a nervous and a little scared. I had lived in Solon, Ohio for a good majority of my life and was going to be moving away from that for the first time ever. I only knew two people on campus (two of my neighbors who grew up by me went to Otterbein) and was going to have to start all over. I was going to be two hours away from a place I had called home for so long and had a lot on my mind.

"Will I fit in at Otterbein?"

"What will it be like living away from home?"

"How am I going to meet new people?"

These were questions that ran threw my head the week before I moved down and on the actual drive down there to move me in. I knew I would be going to school but wasn't sure what I was getting myself into.

Rather then sit around in the dorm room after I moved in, I decided to wander the halls and managed to find open doors for other rooms. Being able to talk with other people who had just moved in calmed my nerves a bit and helped me get over some of the anxiety I was feeling. I knew I wasn't going to meet anyone by sitting in my dorm room so getting out and taking the time to meet others really helped.

As that first weekend rolled around, I managed to volunteer and take part in some of the other new student activities going on and as a result, I made some really great friends and met people I would hang out with for the next four years. As the school year got into full swing, I took the time to become involved in other groups on campus and it became a great way to meet people and make some new friends.

For those of you starting college within the next few weeks, take the time to get out of your dorm room and meet new people. Remember you are not the only one who had to move away and start over and many others will be looking for people to hang out with and make new friends. Starting over can be tough but sitting inside the dorm room all day won't help you meet new people. Take the time to participate with activities on campus, join some of the special interest groups many college campuses have to offer and meet new people. That will calm the nerves, provide some of the answers to the questions you may have about starting over and get your college experience off to a great start.

College Students: Friends Can Be Made in the Most Unique Ways

For those of you who will be starting your freshman year of college soon, having to leave what is familiar and starting over can be a bit startling and overwhelming. Leaving the friends you made during your high school years and starting over can be intimidating and scary.

Even though you will be leaving the friends you made behind, you will have a huge opportunity to make new friends from the very start. There will be several other students in the same situation you are in so you will definitely not be alone.

While getting out of your dorm room and getting involved with campus activities is a great way to make friends in college, some of your best friends may be made in the most unexpectedly places.

During the first weekend I was at Otterbein, I met my two best friends, Hallie and Doug, in the most random spots. On the Saturday morning of that weekend, I met Hallie while doing a community service project (called the Community Plunge) during the early hours of that morning. The two of us started talking and the rest is history. Hours later, a bunch of guys were sitting in the lounge of Mayne Hall (my residence at the time on Otterbein's campus) watching the Ohio State vs Marshall game. I started talking with one of the kids watching the game and found out he was from the next town over. Not too long after that initial conversation, the two of us hit it off and that is how I met my friend Doug. It was in two random areas I met both Doug and Hallie but I made two of my best friends that day alone.

During winter quarter of my freshman year at Otterbein, I made some of my best friends simply because they took the time to show an interest in me. As a broadcast major, I was assigned to do play-by-play for the Otterbein women's basketball team and had fun calling the games from the very start. I had called games in high school but this experience ended up being a bit different. After calling a couple of the games, more of the players from the team started to approach me in the Cardinal's Nest (the cafeteria) and took the time to ask me how my day was going and learn more about me. I'll admit that I was surprised (in a pleasant way) these girls were taking the time to talk to me and they would always ask if I was coming to the next game to do play-by-play. I will never forget the kindness these girls showed me and by the time my senior year rolled around, some of these girls had become some of the best friends I had made on campus.

While a student at Otterbein, I didn't get a chance to meet many of the graduate students, however, one I met randomly became one of my best friends. During the fall and part of the winter quarter of my junior year at Otterbein, I had seen this one gentleman who was always in the library tutoring other students and riding his bike around campus. I had seen him often but never had the chance to introduce myself or cross paths with him long enough to do so. It wasn't until I was walking into Roush Hall on campus (which houses classrooms) that we finally got to cross paths. Mike and I hit it off at that point and I am still in touch and friends with him to this day.

Even though there are numerous stories I have on how I made friends at Otterbein, these always stick out in my mind for positive reasons. I did make some of my best friends in the most unexpectedly places during my college tenure and don't be afraid to let your friendships grow from similar opportunities as well.

Small Manners Can Go A Long Way

As we were growing up, we were probably taught the importance of saying "please," "thank you," and "your welcome" when someone went out of his or her way to do something polite for you. As we got older, we also learned the importance of taking the time to say "thank you" via a card or e-mail to someone who may have helped us along the way. These manners are simple but minding them in key situations can go a long way.

When you have done a favor for someone, have you ever noticed what it feels like when the person you helped does not say "thank you?" Have you gone out of your way to assist someone with an event and not receive any gratitude at all? If this has happened to you, you probably would not be as inclined to help this person again because of the lack of effort shown to express gratitude for your help and assistance. All it could have taken this person was a small thank you note to show gratitude and you would feel different about the situation at that time.

Even when you don't think manners are important, put yourself in the other person's shoes. For example, if a guy was on a date with a girl, how do you think the girl would feel if the guy didn't open the door for her? On the flip side, how do you think the guy would feel if his date didn't say thank you for opening the door or gave him dirty looks for doing so? How do you think one would feel if the date completely ignored the other person and didn't show any appreciation towards the effort being given by the other person to be polite? In cases like this, the smallest of manners can mean a lot and can make a difference.

Below are some tips that can be used in multiple situations whether it is networking, business or even dating:

1) Be Polite To Those Around You - For example, when you are at a restaurant, there is a difference between asking your server for a glass of water and demanding it. You will catch more flies with honey if you politely ask, "Excuse, when you have a moment, could you please get me a glass of water?" then you will with "Go get me a glass of water!" This plus taking a couple of minutes to ask how someone's day is going can help a lot.

2) Opening Doors Can Go A Long Way - It sounds simple but I'll admit I don't feel right if I don't open the door for someone or at least look back to see if someone is behind me when I am about to go into someplace. Taking a few moments to open the door for someone (gentleman, pay attention) can really mean a lot to someone.

3) If You Choose To Spend Time With Someone, Do Not Ignore That Other Person- I know this one sounds bizarre and obvious but you would be surprised how hurtful it can be when someone you want to spend time with just blows you off or doesn't pay attention to you. For example, if you are a high school or college student and if you decide to take a date to a dance or formal, take the time to talk with that person throughout the night, spend time with that person and ask him or her to dance (this last one is key). Imagine how that person will feel if you don't take the time to talk to him or her or offer to take them on the dance floor during that night. Chances are, that person will feel hurt that you didn't spend time with him or her (trust me on this one) and will have the night ruined because of it.

4) The Importance Of "Thank You" - They are only two words and they are simple to say. Make sure to say thank you in situations where it is necessary and don't forget to show your gratitude.

The Importance of Saying Hello and Being Friendly

How many times have you been at a restaurant where the person serving you did not show much interest in you? Have you been at restaurants where the server didn't respond to you trying to make small talk or really say much?

Chances are, we have all been in a situation where the person serving us at a restaurant, coffee bar or other establishment did not take the time to make small talk or seem interested in getting to know you. After this, you may have felt as if the person did not care or wanted to be at his or her job that day.

In certain situations, taking the time to make small talk with the people you come in contact can not only make someone's day but might make that person more responsive to you later on. Taking a few minutes to be friendly and asking how the other person's day is going can make a difference.

For example, as a photographer for Solon High School Football, I will often try and make small talk with the people who work the gates at the games, work the sidelines or talk to the police officers there. I don't have to say hello to these people, however, it makes a difference when someone is taking a couple of minutes to say "Hey, how are you doing?" or "How is your day going?" Taking a few moments to say hello to these people makes me a friendlier face and can make people more responsive and receptive to you later on.

When you are out and about at places you frequent often whether it is bars, restaurants or coffee shops, take a few minutes to say hello to the people serving you and ask about his or her day. You don't have to play a game of "20 Questions" but take some time to ask how the day is going, how long he or she has been there, or if a lot of people have come through. Take the time to listen to the answers and try and get a small conversation going. It might sound hard but if you take the time and listen and ask, you shouldn't have a problem getting something going.

In most every day situations, you don't have to say hello to others and be friendly but taking the time to do so can help you stand out from the rest for positive reasons.

Borders Will Be Missed

For many years, Borders bookstores have been a staple in different communities and have provided a wide variety of reading material, music and movies to its customers. Many of the stores are large and contain coffee shops that make going to the bookstore a more fun experience. The atmosphere inside a lot of these bookstores made it easy for customers to come back again and again.

This past week, the financially strapped company announced all of the Borders bookstores were going to close. After failing to catch up to other big bookstores in the market and falling behind in debt, Borders decided to liquidate its assets and close it's doors.

Upon hearing the news, I couldn't help but realize how much I will miss going into the location in Solon when it finally closes it's doors for the last time. The Borders in Solon has been there since I was a middle school student and it saddens me that it will be gone soon.

During my first trip there, I couldn't believe the size of the place and the wide variety of books. You could find just about any book you wanted and the CD and DVD collection was also extensive. The place was clean, it was quiet and I knew I would be going in there again and again over the next several years.

As I grew older and could drive up there on my own, I enjoyed going in there at times to read the comic books in the cafe, search through the collection of graphic novels they had or pick up a Stephen King novel or sports book. There was never a time the place seemed empty and there was always a line at the counter for people looking to pay for their new found treasures. The place always seemed to be hopping with activity and drew in a lot of people.

When I moved away to go to college, I didn't get a chance to go into Borders often but found the place still busy with activity when I came home on breaks. I noticed more high school students using the cafe to get studying done but always found the line at the checkout counter still had lots of people waiting to pay for their items. It never ceased to amaze me how busy the place was after all of those years and how it became a place for many students to get their homework done.

Even though Borders will be shutting its doors one final time in the near future, I can't help but think of how much fun it was go in there. It was great to see people inside there, the wide selection of books and the incredible atmosphere. I know the store will be gone soon but the memories I have of going in there will always remain.

Importance of Photographs at Events

In today's business world, having an event can be time consuming but beneficial at the same time. Hosting an event where you could meet potential clients and people to network with can be beneficial if done correctly. Being able to pull of the event does take lots of preparation and can be rewarding.

While putting on a great event can be beneficial, there is one key component that can benefit your event or business in the future; taking pictures! It's not often that many pictures are taken at key events so designating someone to take photos can help out in the long run.

Even though it might sound like a lot of work, having photos of your event can help sell your business, your event and even yourself in the long run. Being able to tell people about your event is key but proving how much fun and enjoyment others with pictures can help sell your event in the future. Stories can sell but having the photos to prove it can help prove your point.

For example, when you look at wedding photos, it's very easy to see the emotion, the happiness and the fun times the people are having at an event like that. Wedding photographers capture all of the moments that happen during the ceremony and the reception. They capture the smiling faces of the bride and the groom, the fun the people are having while out on the dance floor, how happy the guests are, etc. These photos easily capture the emotion and the fun people are having at a glorious event and prove the a picture can say a thousand words.

For your event, find someone who can take photos but also take them well. Having photos is key but having photos that are framed well and clear will leave a better impression than blurry or distorted photos. You don't always need to hire a professional photographer at your event but make sure the photos you will have can be easily viewed and capture key moments.

In addition to making sure you have someone that can take good photos, use proper judgement when deciding which photos to use for promotional purposes or show to others. If someone was skeptical about being photographed in the first place, make sure you have his or her permission first to either take a photo or use it later on. Keep in mind that not everyone may want his or her photo used for a promotional piece or shown to others and may be embarrassed if the photo shows up in a place he or she did not expect. Use your judgement and be considerate of someone else's privacy.

For your event, being able to host an event that is fun and enjoyable to others can be rewarding and beneficial but having the photos to prove the success of your event can be key later on.

Having A Great Support Staff For Your Hobbies

Hobbies are great for any person to have. It helps develop who we are as people, provides us something to look forward to when we need to relax and helps connect us with other people at times. Being able to take part in a hobby gives us the opportunity to share your passion with others and develop relationships. By sharing your hobby with others, you can develop a great support staff with those who will stand by you the entire way.

Outside of work, one of my favorite hobbies is photography and the passion started with the support of others while I was in college. As a college freshman at Otterbein, I started taking my small point and shoot digital camera to some of our campus radio station events and took lots of different pictures. I hadn't really given much thought to getting involved with photography prior to that but I noticed I had a lot of fun taking pictures of the events and sharing them later on.

As I started taking more and more pictures, some of the other students who worked at the campus radio station started to take notice and encouraged me to take more photos. At every event I could be at, I had my small digital camera and took as many shots as I could with that. I even started taking shots of the band my one friend was in (and my friend's boyfriend) and it was on the night of one of their gigs my friend said something that inspired me to pursue the hobby further:

"Jeff, you ought to be a photographer."

Not too long after she said that, I decided it was time to get a bigger camera! Months later, as a birthday gift, I ended up with my Nikon D50 semi-professional camera and with the help of a photography class I took not too long after, the hobby took off!

During the rest of my college years, I took pictures for local sporting events, charity events on campus and even Greek Life activities. Many people appreciated my photos and those who had an opportunity to see my work often enjoyed looking at my pictures. Even my friends who inspired me as a freshman still took time to look at my pictures and offered me encouragement.

As my college years came to an end, I had new goals in mind for my photography hobby and the support system was still there. I got involved with my alma mater, Solon High School, and began taking pictures of their sporting events and often post the pictures on Facebook. The head football coach's son began to take notice of my work and has been one of my biggest supporters since I started taking pictures for the school. Several parents, coaches and a couple of school employees took notice and have served as a great support staff as well.

Whenever I go out and take my pictures, whether it is a local sporting event, a wedding, a stroll around the park or a car show, I always think back to the support I was given from the early start. My friends who inspired me while I was working for the campus radio station gave me the support I needed to get started and I am grateful for their guidance and friendships. Their support helped pave the path for one of my favorite hobbies and their guidance and the other support I have gotten along the way have helped inspire to keep taking more shots.

Meeting People On A Date- Some Helpful Tips

While writing my last post, I couldn't help but think how some of the tips I had to building friendships and relationships can apply to dating as well. The situations are a little bit different but some of the same concepts can apply.

When on a date, it's important to take time to get to know the other person, be polite and be relaxed. Below are some of the same tips I had in my last post but how they can apply to dating:

1) Take Time To Get to Know the Other Person and Avoid Giving Your Own Verbal Autobiography - When dating someone, take the time to get to know the other person rather then provide your whole life story on the first date. Take time to get to know what the other person enjoys doing, his or her passions and interests. The key is to learn more about the other person and learn more about him or her to develop the relationship.

2) We Were Given Two Ears and One Mouth so We Can Listen Twice as Much as We Talk - I know I mentioned this in my last post but it does apply here as well. Listen to the other person when on your date and learn more about him or her. Talking too much could end up in monopolizing the conversation and may bore your date. Take the time to listen, learn more about the other person and you will be able to hold a conversation more easily then if you don't listen.

3) Make Eye Contact - If you don't make eye contact, people will notice. Eye contact is something that I have struggled with at times and people have noticed it when I didn't! Make sure to make eye contact with your date.

4) Relax- Going on a date for the first time can be a little nerve racking, however, being more relaxed will help you listen better, learn more about the other person and hold a conversation more easily.

5) Be Polite to the Person Serving You - No matter where you are at with your date, be polite to the people around you and serving you as well. For example, if you are at a restaurant, be polite to your server. Being impolite, impatient, or disrespectful could be a huge turnoff and may eliminate any chances of getting a future date with the person you are with. Treat the person who is your server as a friend and with respect. There is a big difference between saying "Hey server, get me a glass of water!" and "Excuse, when you have a moment, could I have another glass of water please?" and your date will know that as well.

6) If Possible, Turn Off Your Cell Phone and Avoid Looking at Messages or Calls When Sitting With the Person - Personally, I hate talking on my cell phone when I am with someone else and prefer to have it completely turned off so that any call will go straight to my voicemail and not be a distraction during the date. You can always respond to the message later but you can't always get a second chance with a person you ignored because you took a phone call or text message during the date.

7) Don't Be Down On Yourself If A Date Doesn't Work Out- We all have had dates that didn't quite work out or have gone out on dates with people we didn't feel a connection with during the interaction. It can be hard to take sometimes but don't take it personally and realize there are other people out there. If a date doesn't work out, be respectful to that person, don't blast him or her on Twitter, Facebook or in other forms of media and remember to respect his or her feelings. It's better to move on then to go out of your way to hurt someone else's feelings over a date that didn't work out. Even if you don't go out with this person again or become friends, the person will remember if you were polite and respectful.

Meeting People For the First Time- Some Helpful Tips

Meeting new people is important in developing relationships and your personal and professional network. Being able to build friendships and relationships is important in life and can help build a support network when needed.

For some, meeting someone for the first time can be intimidating and nerve-racking. Making a first impression is important but is not as hard as you think.

Below are some tips for making the most out of meeting someone for the first time:

1) Take Time To Know The Other Person and Avoid Giving Your Own Verbal Autobiography - Monopolizing the conversation and only talking about yourself could be a turn off right away and might even bore the other person. Take time to find out what his or her interests are, what passions he or she might have and his or her interests. Take time to get to know the other person rather then re-living your entire life in just one conversation. It will show you are interested in getting to know the other person and not promoting yourself.

2) We Were Given Two Ears and One Mouth So We Could Listen Twice as Often as We Talk - Before my senior year of college, a network contact of mine (who I still keep in touch with to this day) mentioned this to me and it really resonated with me. Take the time to listen to the other person in conversation. By listening, you will know what to ask next, learn more about the person sitting across the table from you and be able to hold a conversation better. You will be able to find more to talk about and know more about the person in the end.

3) Make Eye Contact - I'll admit that I have trouble with this one at times and it is more noticeable then you think. If you aren't making eye contact, people will notice. Not making eye contact could be a turn off to some people. Make sure to make eye contact with the person and it may even help you listen better.

4) Be Relaxed - This one might be hard to do but relax when sitting down with someone for the first time. Meeting new people is something that will never change in life and be relaxed and calm during the first meeting. Being uptight could make it difficult to listen, hold a conversation or learn more about that person.

Facebook Tips

Over the years, Facebook has grown into one of the most popular forms of social media. What started out just on college campuses has grown into a worldwide form of communication. With more and more users each day, Facebook has developed into one of the most powerful and effective forms of social media today.

Even though Facebook is popular, many still question whether or not they wish to be apart of it. Fears over privacy, personal information and other concerns are often mentioned as reasons not to take part in it.

Not everyone has to have a Facebook account but for those of you who are considering, below are some tips for getting started:

1) Decide What You Want and Don't Want People To See - If you don't want people you don't know finding your phone number, don't put it on there. If you don't want people using your work e-mail or personal e-mail address to reach you, do not put it on there. Decide what information you want people to see and only put that on the profile. Do not put any information that you do not want people to see on your profile.

2) If You Don't Know Someone Requesting to Be Your Friend on Facebook, You Do Not Have To Accept the Request - Chances are, you will probably get a few friend requests from people you do not know. If you are not comfortable accepting the request, you do not have to add this person to your friends list. Avoid requesting to be friends with people you do not know and you never have to accept friend requests from those you do not know. You can send a message to clarify the person's identity but you do not have to accept the request if you are not comfortable.

3) Watch What You Put on Your Profile - It has been said many times before but be careful about the content you place in your profile. Just because a picture, video, phrase or joke might be funny to you, it may be offensive to others. If you aren't sure if someone will be offended by something, do not place it in your profile. You never know who may come across your profile and be offended by an inappropriate picture, video, joke or phrase.

4) Keep in Mind Current and Potential Employers May Monitor the Content in Your Profile- Similar to the third point mentioned in this post, watch what you say in your profile about other people or businesses. You never know when someone might catch wind of something posted on your profile. More and more businesses are monitoring what employees and job candidates are placing on their Facebook profiles and you will need to be careful what you say.

College Graduation Advice

While looking through my Facebook account recently, the Communications Department at Otterbein University posted a question for alumni. The question was what advice you have for those who are graduating from college and I couldn't help but think back to when I walked across the commencement stage three years ago to earn my degree. I thought I knew a lot at that time but didn't quite expect what it would be like to leave college and enter the so-called "real world."

I've learned a lot in the three years since I graduated college and here is the advice I would give to any college graduate:

1) Learn to Network - The connections you make and the relationships you build will pave the path for you down the road. Take the time to network as a young professional, develop relationships with others and build a business foundation. You will never know what opportunities can arise from keeping in touch with these contacts and where your career will go from there

2) Take Time To Meet New People- This might sound obvious but if you are moving back home from being away for a while or moving to a new city, it might be a little lonelier then you anticipated. When I moved back to the Cleveland area after living in Columbus for my four years of college, it was a bit lonely for me at times mainly because my foundation of friends was no longer there and I hadn't spent that much time in the area during college. What helped me was taking time to join some of the local young professional business groups, networking, the Cleveland Hockey Boosters and even Match.com to meet new people. Some other friends of mine have utilized Meetup.com to meet new people and others have joined local sports leagues or gone onto Craigslist to find opportunities to meet new people. No matter where you end up, take time to meet new people and build friendships from that

3) No Matter How Far You Go, Don't Forget Those Who Have Helped You Along The Way - Take time to keep in touch with old college professors, friends and others that helped you reach this point in your life. Continue to maintain those relationships and staying in touch will be meaningful to the other person

The Importance of Staying In Touch

Throughout your college and professional career, staying in touch with those who have helped you along the way is a must. Sometimes it is difficult to stay in touch with everyone but taking a few moments to drop a quick hello can go a long way.

To stay in touch, you don't necessarily have to have a person's address or go visit face-to-face. Simple ways such as thank you notes, short emails, and other simple reminders can help you stay in touch with those who have helped you along the way.

Below are some quick and easy ways to stay in touch:

1) E-Mail - taking a few moments to send a quick e-mail to check in is a great way to keep in touch. Try not to keep the e-mails really long (just a couple of quick sentences) and take time at the end to ask how the other person is doing.

2) Saying Congrats- if a contact of yours has been rewarded publicly, has been acknowledged for an achievement or has gotten a promotion, taking a few moments to say congrats via e-mail or regular card can help. It shows you care enough to send a person a note recognizing an achievement and will keep you fresh in that person's mind.

3) Simple Reminders- taking time to get to know network contacts as people is important and if you come across a keepsake or article that would be of interest, take a few moments to send it to that person. This is a great way to catch someone's interest and will show you remembered the other person's interests

Saying Hello Can Go A Long Way

Ask yourself this; when you go into your local coffeeshop, how often do you really ask the person who is getting your coffee how his or her day is going?

Better yet, when you go to one of your favorite restaurants, how often do you take the time to ask your server or the people at the front desk how their days are going?

Now ask yourself this; how do you think it would make them feel if you took a few moments to ask that question?

Taking a few moments to ask people how their days are going can go a little further then you might think. It's not often that people take a few moments to ask the person filling the coffee cup, taking the order, etc. how his or her day may be going. Taking those few moments to ask could help set you apart from others in a positive way.

During my time at Otterbein College (now University), taking a few moments to ask the people working in the bookstore, the cafeteria, the local coffeeshop, and even the library made me a familiar and more friendly face. I noticed that not many people took time to ask these workers how their days were going and it meant a lot when someone took the time to do so. As a result, I was able to make more friends on campus and became a polite and friendly face to these people.

Even though taking a few moments can be meaningful, not everyone may be interested in talking to you. If it happens, don't give up! Take time to keep saying hello to others you come across on your daily routine and you might be surprised what happens.

As you go through your daily routine, remember to take a few moments to say hello and you may end up with a few new friends and become a friendlier face.

Looking To Getting To Know Someone Means Taking Time To Get To Know Them

Meeting new people can be exciting but can also be nerve racking at the same time. Making a first impression is important but being over anxious or self-absorbed can be a turn off. When meeting someone new, making a wrong impression can be a turn off and may make it hard for someone to want to get to know you.

When meeting someone new, there is one big secret way to get them interested in talking to you, which is taking the time to listen and getting to know the other person.

During opportunities in which you could meet new people, it can be easy to provide your own verbal autobiography but it might not get you very far. Instead of telling people about yourself, take time to get to know the other person and his or her interests. Taking an interest in what the other person enjoys or is passionate about will get the person interested in talking to you and want to keep a conversation going.

A recent example I can provide on how to effectively do this is when I had dinner with someone who worked part time at a salon. Prior to this meeting, I didn't know this person worked at a salon and when it came up in conversation, I saw my opportunity. When I asked this person what it was like to work part time at the salon, the type of people she met, and how she started working there, she opened up during the conversation and felt comfortable talking to me throughout the evening.

In this example, I took the time to take interest in another person and began to inquire about something she was passionate about and enjoyed doing. As a result of this, I was able to have a great conversation with her and still have a great friendship with her to this day.

When you meet someone new, take time to find out what this person enjoys doing, his or her hobbies and what the person is passionate about in life. You don't have to make it a game of "20 Questions" but slowly show interest, inquire, and listen to the other person. By listening and showing interest, you will be able to hold a conversation, make the other person comfortable while talking to you and develop a relationship. Remember to listen, inquire and enjoy!

Advice For Soon To Be College Graduates

As your college career is nearing a close, decisions about the future will have to be made as you get closer to walking across the stage to receive your degree. Thoughts as to where you want to go and what you want to achieve will have to be made and time will needed to be spent making those decisions.

As you make your decisions as to what path you want to pursue next, don't forget the fun times that made your college experience and the friends you have made. In addition to deciding where to go next, take time to do the following:

1) Enjoy the simple aspects of college that made your experience fun- almost every college campus has a tradition or two that you may have taken part of (at Otterbein where I went, one of the most popular were late night doughnut runs to Schnieder's Bakery in Uptown Westerville). Take time to enjoy these simple pleasures a few more times before you graduate

2) Spend time with the people who became your friends during your college career - chances are, friendships made up a good part of your college experience and take time to hang out, spend time and socialize with those who helped make your time in school fun

3) Thank those who helped you along the way - take time to thank professors, mentors or people who gave you an internship during your college career and helped you out. A simple e-mail or a thank you note could go a long way

Advice For High School Seniors

As the school year comes to a close, many high school seniors will be closing one chapter of their lives and starting the next phase in their lives. With high school coming a completion, a new life will begin as many students will begin college, join the workforce, or go onto to pursue other opportunities.

When I graduated high school, I'll admit I thought I knew a lot in terms of how to succeed inside the classroom and out. It wasn't until I started college that I really understood the importance of building meaningful relationships with others, making the most out of opportunities available and paving the path for success.

Having graduated high school and 2004 and college in 2008, I've learned a lot in the four years it took for me to go from high school graduate to college graduate. The most important aspects I learned in those four years was the importance of starting a new life and having a positive attitude, building meaningful relationships with others, making the most of opportunities and not forgetting those who have helped you along the way.

When you leave high school to join your next adventure, look at it as an opportunity to move on and start a new life. Put any frustrations, pains, ill feelings you may have towards your high school years behind you and focus on how to plan the next phase in your life. Take time to start over, look at things from a positive perspective, and realize you can start over and be happy in your life.

As you make your way into college, the workforce or the next phase of your life, building friendships and relationships with others will be key. When you first move into college, it might be scary knowing you are away from home and don't know anyone. Even if you are not going away to college, those feelings can still remain. When you make this transition, take time to get to know other people, join clubs and organizations and get out of the dorm room, apartment or house you are living in. This will help you meet people, build friendships and develop relationships that will benefit you in the long term.

When you make your way out of high school, take advantage of opportunities you have in front of you. If you are a college student, take advantage of study abroad programs, internships, networking opportunities or anything else that can help provide experience you will need for when you graduate college. Make the most out of what your school has to offer and take advantage of those opportunities. If you are going into the workforce, take advantage of different opportunities to learn new skills, certificates, trades or anything else that will help you stand out from the rest.

Lastly, don't forget those who have helped you along the way. Take time to keep in touch with teachers, coaches or other mentors who helped you get into college or reach the next goal you had in life. Take time to appreciate the help these people gave you along the way and don't forget the time they took to help you reach your goals.

As you walk across on stage and enter another phase into your lives, take time to focus on starting a new life, make new friends and relationships, look for opportunities that can benefit you and keep in touch with those who lent a helping hand.

Advice For College Graduates

With college graduation just around the corner, plans about the future and what to do after you walk across the stage to get your degree will have to be made. Making the transition from college student to young professional is a tough one to make but below are some tips for making that adjustment:

1) Take Time To Get Out and Meet New People - There may be a chance you could be moving to another city or town to get your career started and you may not know a lot of people to hang out with after work. Take some time to get adjusted to your new schedule but take time to join clubs, organizations or find different ways to get out of the house or apartment and meet new people. Larger cities have young professionals organizations, people utilize web-sites like MeetUp.com or Match.com to meet new people and there is always the Internet to help you find local organizations that meet your interests. In order to make new friends, you have to take time to meet new people.

2) Take Time To Adjust To Your New Schedule- Chances are, you may not be able to have the same sleep schedule you had in college and you may need to take time to adjust to getting up earlier, working a longer day and getting a routine that suits you. Take time to plan your days as to when you need to get up, how long it takes to get ready, how long it takes to get to work and plan accordingly.

3) Have Network Contacts as Support- Starting a new job may be a bit stressful, however, having network contacts in your field can help. You never know when you might need advice on how to handle a situation at work, how to improve your performance or adjust to a new schedule. Having these contacts can help as you make your way into the world.

4) No Matter How Far You Go, Don't Forget Those Who Helped You Along The Way- Take time to keep in touch with those who helped you along the way. Don't forget those who helped you reach your goals and take time to send e-mails, send messages, have lunch, etc.

First Witness To An Act of Kindness

During the past several months, I have written blog posts regarding the importance of taking time to help others succeed and lending a hand to those who need assistance. I've often written about the importance of how taking time to help others is meaningful to others and can build trust and lasting relationships. Last night, I was able to witness a very generous act of kindness that meant a lot to a young boy and his family.

When walking into Solon, Ohio's Stewart Field to take pictures of the Solon vs. Massillon Jackson lacrosse game, I noticed all off the players, coaches and parents wearing t-shirts promoting "Vincestrong." I wasn't 100% sure what exactly "Vincestrong" was until one of the parents came up to me and asked that I take pictures of the captains going out for the coin toss. The parent informed me that "Vincestrong" was created to help a local boy who was diagnosed with leukemia and raise money for his foundation. On this very night, this boy was not only getting an opportunity to go out for the coin toss before the game but the entire Solon lacrosse family dedicated the entire night to him and his family.

In addition to dedicating the night to this boy, the parents sold "Vincestrong" t-shirts and wrist bands with the proceeds benefiting the foundation. As the game went on, I saw lots of students in attendance and parents make their way to the press box to pick up a t-shirt and donate to the cause. During halftime, I couldn't help but walk up to the press box to pick up a t-shirt to help this local boy as well.

As the night went on, I could tell how meaningful this act of kindness from the Solon lacrosse parents and players was to the boy and his family. These parents and players didn't have to do this at all but they all decided that lending a hand would be meaningful and helpful to someone in need. As a result, they garnered the trust, support and appreciation from this boy and his family for a long time.

By taking time to help others in need, you might not realize it at first but your assistance can mean a lot to someone in the end. If you have the chance to lend a hand to help, do so and you will not only assist someone but could create a lasting relationship.

College Seniors: What Is It Going To Take To Reach Your Goals?

With spring rapidly approaching, decisions about your life after college will have to be made. Decisions as to where you want to go in life, what you want to achieve and where you want to live will have to be considered before you walk across the stage and earn your degree. These decisions may not be easy but taking the time to understand where you want to go can help you in the end. After you decide where you want to go, you have to ask yourself what is it going to take to reach your goals.

As you plan your life after college, take some time to determine where you want to be one year, five years and maybe even 10 years after graduating. Do you want to go back to school at one point? Do you want to be a manager for the company you work for? Do you want to work for a large sized company? Take several minutes to decide how you want to start off, where you want to be five years after that and what you want to achieve ten years down the road.

Once your goals are set, you need to ask yourself one simple question:

"What is it going to take to achieve these goals?"

Goals are always at the top of the cliff, however, you need to know how you are going to climb up the mountain to reach them. What steps will you need to take to get better at your job? What additional training or information will you need? It is questions like these that will help you plan the steps you will need to take to reach your goals and understand what it is going to take to reach your dreams.

For example, let's say you have a goal to become a ear, nose and throat doctor. What schools do you want to go to for medical school that will give you the best training before your residency? If so, how do you plan on getting into those schools? What score will you need on the MCATS to get in? These are all questions that will answer what it will take for you to reach that goal of becoming an ear, nose and throat doctor. After you answer these, you will have the plan set up in place to reach that goal and understand what it will take.

As your time is winding down in college, decisions will have to be made about your future and goals will need to be set. If you understand what you want to achieve, you will need to understand what you need to do to reach those dreams of yours.

Be Grateful For What You Have

Throughout out lives, there are times in which we come across others that may have a nicer car, a bigger house or other luxury items or talents we wish we had as well. Sometimes it may be difficult not having certain items or talents but looking at what you have in your life instead of what you don't have in your life may help put things into another perspective.

For example, when I was in high school, I ran track but was never as fast as some of our other runners and not as athletically gifted. It may have seemed hard at times knowing I was never going to be a championship runner, however, I decided to look at it from a different perspective. I looked at the experience as an opportunity to make some awesome friends (some of which I still talk to to this day) and find different ways to contribute to the team. I often found myself cheering on my teammates who helped win meets for us and even put together the end of the season video (a tradition that continues to this day).

In this case, I knew I didn't have the athletic ability some of my teammates possessed but I understood the awesome friends I had made and the importance of cheering on your teammates. I may not have been the fastest runner out there but knew I had met some great people and learned some valuable skills along the way.

As another example, growing up, I knew others that could paint and draw pictures really well, however, I could not (and still cannot) do either very well. Instead of being upset that I couldn't do either one of these activities very well, I found another way to be artistic by taking pictures. After years of doing video production, photography came easy because I was understood how to frame a shot, could vision what I wanted a photo to look like and it has become one of my favorite hobbies. Instead of being upset about not being able to draw or paint well, I am grateful I had the skills to take some great pictures and become artistic in that sense.

Even beyond my high school years, I have still come across those who have more athletic talents then I have, have other skills I don't possess and may have a few items I don't have as well. While it might be easy to be jealous or upset in these cases, I learned that looking at it from another perspective has helped me be grateful for the things I do have. By looking at things from this type of perspective, it has helped me appreciate the friends I have, what I can do and the small things in life that put a smile on my face.

Trying New Opportunities Can Build Some of The Best Friendships

During certain times in our lives, there are times in which we aren't eager to try new opportunities, new challenges or break out of our comfort zones. Trying an activity, hobby or something that is out of your comfort zone can be challenging but can reap the rewards if done right. Not every new opportunity you take advantage of may be a good experience but taking the time to enjoy new hobbies and activities can help build some of the best friendships.

Before I went to college, I never had the courage to run for any type of staffhead position for any of the organizations I was apart of due to the fear of possibly being rejected. I lacked confidence and didn't feel that I had the skills to lead people or feel I could even win the position. This fear I had made it difficult for me to want to take on any type of leadership roles during that time in my life.

During my sophomore year of college, this attitude of mine changed with an opportunity that was presented to me and the encouragement of two friends of mine. There was an opportunity for me to become an Assistant Promotions Director for the campus radio station at Otterbein (where I went to college) and after getting turned down for another position months beforehand and feeling down about that, I wasn't sure I wanted to run for anything again. It wasn't until the Webmaster of the station and the General Manager talked with me for a little bit that I finally decided to throw my name in the hat for the open position.

Unlike the months before, I ended up getting the position and the girl who was the Webmaster, the General Manager and others who worked at the station became some of my closest friends. These people took time to encourage me to work hard at the position, grow and develop leadership skills I never knew I had, and helped boost my confidence. I was able to trust these people (something I had trouble doing at certain times) and realized I was building great friendships with these individuals. Taking advantage of this opportunity not only helped me realize skills I didn't have but helped me develop some great friendships as well.

Had I not taken advantage of this new opportunity, I never would have made some of the great friends I had at the campus radio station and never realized some of the leadership skills I had. it opened me up to becoming more involved in this organization and others and I greatly benefited from going out of my comfort zone to try something new.

Even beyond college, I've taken advantage of new opportunities via the suggestion and help of others. I've become close with those who have helped me get more involved with my photography hobby, have become friends with a couple of people who have given me dating advice, and have gotten to know some other great people by getting out and trying something new. I've not only benefited and become more confident but have developed some close friendships as well.

Whenever you have the opportunity to try a new activity, you may not only benefit yourself but also develop some incredible friendships along the way too.

Take Time To Relax: You Might Need It!

As a college student or working professional, there will be times in which stressful situations or weeks will arise and it will be tiring. There may be times in which longer hours will have to be put in and cause you to feel tired and strained a little bit. Getting through this may not be easy, however, taking time to relax afterwards may be something to help you refresh.

Below are some tips on finding different ways to relax and refresh after long periods of work time:

1) Plan a Weekend Getaway Somewhere - Take a weekend to find a place to travel to and get away from your normal routine. This will help you focus your attention elsewhere, find some peace and quiet and help you explore another place.

2) Take Time To Enjoy Your Hobbies - Hobbies are a great way to relax and make life more enjoyable. Take some time to create a project with one of your hobbies, share it with someone else or just enjoy a hobby you enjoy doing. This will divert your attention and force you to focus on something else.

3) Go for a Couple of Nice Long Workouts- Exercise can release tension and take time to get in shape or do some long workouts to relieve the stress

4) Plan a Movie Night or Movie Day - One of the greatest ways to relax is to stick in a movie you haven't seen in a while and just sit and enjoy it! You might be surprised as to how relaxed you will feel while enjoying your movie.

Getting A Phone Call at a Bad Time: Don't Panic!

As you are networking within your college and professional career, there will be instances in which taking a phone call will be easy and other times where taking a call will not be convenient. When receiving a call from a network contact, it is always best to be relaxed, calm and polite not matter what the circumstances might be.

When reaching out to others, there may be an instance or two in which you may not have the time to talk to someone at a particular moment. There may be times in which you need to go into another meeting, another call, or driving that will prohibit you from taking that person's phone call.

If this should happen, consider the following tips below:

1) Stay calm- Don't sound rushed or as if you are trying to get them off the phone as soon as possible. Stay relaxed and talk at a normal pace.

2) Thank the person for calling and ask for a time to call back - Always thank someone for taking the time to return your phone call and offer a time to call back. Consider the following examples:

"Mr. Smith, I want to thank you for returning my call. I am a bit tied up at the moment and would welcome the opportunity to speak with you. When is a good time I can call you back today or tomorrow?"

"Mr. Smith, I would like to thank you for reaching out to me. Unfortunately, I am a bit tied up at the moment but would welcome the opportunity to speak with you. When would be a good time for me to call you back?"

"I would like to thank you for returning my phone call, Mr. Smith. I do apologize but I am not in a position to talk right at this moment. I would welcome the opportunity to speak with you; when would be a good time for me to call you back?"

3) If you are driving, pull over or pull into a parking lot- Find someplace you can go to where you can concentrate just on the phone call at hand. This will help you listen to the person on the other end, ask the right questions and retain more of the information.

No Matter How Far You Go, Don't Forget Where You Came From

Throughout your college and academic life, there will be times in which you will achieve success. This could come in the form of an award, promotion or another job and it will be a triumph in your life.

Having successes in life is great to have, however, there is a good chance there are people who helped you reach that goal. There may have been someone who helped you create a project, helped write a proposal, or gave you the guidance needed to achieve that success. No matter how far you go in your life, always take time to thank, keep in touch and appreciate those who took the time to help you along the way.

If you are a college student, chances are, there were probably numerous people who helped you get into the college you desired and lead you the right direction towards finding a career path in high school. This could have been a teacher who took time to help you with writing papers, a coach who may have taught you how to balance sports and schoolwork or someone else who took the time to help find a passion you want to pursue in life.

For example, before I came to college, a couple of people who really helped me find my path included my boss at the school's TV station and my track coaches. My boss at the school TV station took time to let me learn the editing software, announce the sporting events, and helped me hone my camera and editing skills. With his dedication and hard work, I was able to find a major I wanted to pursue in college and it helped prepare me for that next phase in my life. As for my track coaches, I was not a superb athlete but the encouragement and drive they instilled in me to get better helped me learn how hard work and dedication will pay off in the end. These people were a positive influence on my life and I still keep in touch with them to this day as a result of the help they provided.

If you are a working professional, take time to help those who have helped you achieve success on the job and beyond. Chances are, you may have had a supervisor who helped hone your skills in the office, had a network contact who provided some insight on how to improve your performance, or put in that phone call into the hiring manager that helped you get the interview for the job you wanted.

No matter how far you go in your college or professional career, take the time to thank those who have helped you along the way and helped hone your skills. Keep in touch with e-mails, visits when you have an opportunity, greeting cards (birthdays and other landmark events can be key), etc. Take the opportunity to thank these people who helped you achieve your success because their help and assistance could have been what you needed to achieve the goals you wanted.

Building Friendships Starts With Getting To Know Others

During your college years and even beyond, developing friendships inside and outside of the business world is key. Having a network of professional and personal contacts can help you become more rounded, be beneficial at key times and having others to enjoy your successes with. One of the biggest keys to building friendships is taking the time to getting to know others, their interests and their passions.

When you first meet someone new, it is easy to start discussing your goals, your hobbies and your passions. This will help the other person understand what you are about, however, it could also be a turn off at times. You might appear to be self-absorbed and not willing to learn about someone else by spending too much time talking about yourself.

During your first couple interactions with someone new, take time to learn about the person standing or sitting across from you. Take time to learn about his or her passions, interests and hobbies in life. You will end up having a better conversation, will develop trust with that person and it will mean a lot that you are showing an interest in someone else.

Once you have developed trust in a relationship, find a way to keep in touch with that person via e-mail, phone numbers, Facebook, etc. You don't need to call, e-mail or send a text message every day to develop the relationship; just a casual e-mail, phone call on the way home from work or quick text message will do the trick.

In addition to keeping in touch, find time to socialize with one another. If you two enjoy meeting for coffee, find a local coffee shop to hang out at once a month. If you two enjoy sporting events, make a point to go to a game when you two have the chance. By socializing with that person, you will develop the relationship and get to know the person even better.

Throughout life, having a vast network of friends is beneficial and the first step to building these relationships is taking the time to know others. Take time to learn about someone else, his or her passions and keep in touch. It will build trust and a lasting relationship.

College Seniors: Get That Resume Ready and Start Networking!

As you are nearing the end of your college career, thoughts and decisions about your future will have to be made. As a college senior, taking time to decide what career route to pursue, where to go and how to get to your goal are all important to consider.

Even before you go on spring break, take some time to decide the following:

1) What type of jobs do I want to go after?
2) Where do I want to live?
3) What do I want to accomplish after college?

Taking the time to consider these items will help you plan your route and how you want to get there.

In addition to deciding where you want to go, take time to get your resume read and edited by several different people. Having multiple perspectives on what to include, what not to include and how to format it can help shape your resume and how to go after the position you want. It's okay to have more then one resume (tailor it to the specific job you want to go after) and if your campus has a career center, take a few moments to have someone read it there.

Once your resume is complete and ready to go, take the time to network with professionals in your desired field. The goal will be to get advice and insight on how to find an entry level position within your field and networking can open up those possibilities. Keep your eyes out for networking lunches on campus, opportunities to hear guest speakers and don't be afraid to ask your professors for alumni in the area that may be willing to assist you.

After you get a few names of these people to network with, try and reach out to them and ask for their advice. Try to meet in person but if you can't do that, a phone conversation works as well. Before you are done with that conversation, always ask if there is anyone else he or she knows in the area that may be able to provide similar insight or ideas on getting that entry level job.

With graduation approaching soon, take time to decide where you want to go, develop a good resume and network!

Community Service: Take Time To Help Others!

As a college student and even as a professional, giving back to the community is an important aspect to have in your life. Taking time to help others, volunteer and be with other people provides you with something to look forward to, an opportunity to help others and meet other people. Taking time to help may be time consuming but can have benefits in the end.

During my college years, I'll admit I didn't take as much time to help out the community but was grateful when I did during my senior year. For a class, I had to interact with a service project and I had the opportunity to teach elementary school kids how to play sports. I hadn't done anything like this for a while but was glad I did.

Each week, the kids started to warm up to everyone else in the group and it was easy to tell they looked forward to us coming on a weekly basis. It meant a lot to these children that these "big college kids" were coming each week to spend time with them and playing games with them too. Even when I was done with what I needed to do for my class, I still volunteered because I enjoyed interacting with a different group of people and felt like I was giving back. It reminded me of what how I felt whenever someone older would pay attention and spend time to me and it felt good to remember where I came from.

Even after my college years were over, I found a way to give back to the community through my photography work. After taking pictures at a Solon High School football game one afternoon, I received a lot of positive feedback on the photos after I posted them up on Facebook and was asked if I could attend more games. I took the offer and was glad I did.

It had been many years since I really followed Solon High football, however, taking pictures at the games helps me interact and meet with a different group of people. During this time, I have received lots of positive feedback on the photos from the players, band members, parents and other people involved and looked forward to each coming week. I could tell the photos were appreciated and volunteering my time to do this has been worthwhile. It's provided me with another way for me to enjoy a hobby, have something to look forward to and interact with another group of people.

No matter where you are at in your life, take time to give back to the community; you never know what you might end up looking forward to and who you will meet.

Traveling Abroad: Awesome Experience That Lasts a Lifetime!

During your college years, there may be an opportunity for you to travel or study abroad. Colleges and Universities typically offer programs in which students can study for a semester (or quarter) overseas during their college careers. If you have an opportunity to take advantage of any of these programs, take great consideration; the experience you will get from interacting with another culture, city and life overseas will last a lifetime.

While it might be hard to be away from your home for a semester, taking time to travel overseas when you can as a college student is worthwhile. When you enter the working world, it may not be as easy to go overseas right away due to work schedules, paying off student loans and other factors that may prohibit you from taking extended time off. Taking time to travel as a college student before you enter the working world will give you that experience before you graduate and provide you with an opportunity to experience another culture and group of people. If the opportunity is there, greatly consider taking advantage of the chance presented.

As a senior in college, I had the opportunity to travel to Vienna, Austria and Budapest, Hungary and experiencing the culture and history both cities had to offer was one of the best moments of my college career. Being able to take time to enjoy the art museums, the historical places, the unique cafes and restaurants and different cultural events (St. Nicholas Day occurred while I was over there as was the anniversary of Mozart's death) are experiences I will always remember and was grateful to experience. Walking the Ringstrasse in Vienna, visiting the cafes, seeing Stephansdom, experiencing the Vienna Opera and seeing the Danube River in Budapest at night are all experiences and several others that were breathtaking and some of the most memorable memories I have during my college years. By taking advantage of the opportunity presented, I had a chance to experience the culture and history of two great European cities and will carry that with me for a long time.

In addition to experiencing the culture and history of both Vienna and Budapest, making friendships over was a worthwhile and memorable experience as well. I managed to become friends with two Hungarian students and one Viennese student over there and continue those friendships to this day. With the use of e-mail, I have managed to keep in touch with all three of these people and it's great having these friendships.

One of the most unique experiences I've had with these friendships is a phone call I received from one of the Hungarian students on New Year's Eve. I was driving home from work and saw the phone number was really long and as it turns out, it was my friend I had met in Budapest a year earlier calling me to wish me a Happy New Year's! We chatted for what seemed like an eternity and I never would have had that awesome surprise if I did not go over there in the first place or continue to develop that friendship.

If you are presented to travel overseas as a college student, take great consideration in taking advantage of the opportunity. Experiencing another culture, group of people and cultural events is an experience that lasts a lifetime and will add more substance and great memories to your college career.