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.
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
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!
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!
Saturday, May 14, 2011
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
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
Sunday, May 8, 2011
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.
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.
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.
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