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.
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Saturday, October 22, 2011
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.
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.
Monday, October 17, 2011
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.
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.
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