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.
Showing posts with label friendships. Show all posts
Showing posts with label friendships. Show all posts
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Sunday, April 17, 2011
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.
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.
Friday, April 15, 2011
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.
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.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
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.
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.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Take Time To Say Thanks To Those Who Have Helped You Along The Way
No matter where you are at in your life, whether you are a college student looking to get a career started or a seasoned professional deep into a career, chances are, someone helped you along the way. This assistance could have come in many different forms and probably helped get you to where you are at now. If someone has helped you along the way, taking time to say thank you will help strengthen the relationship with that person and show kindness as well.
If someone has done you a favor or helped you along the way, saying thank you can help build and strengthen that relationship with that person. Taking a few moments to show your appreciation will prove to that person you cared about his or her time, you appreciated the assistance and you care enough to take a few moments to show gratitude. Not taking the time to say thank you could leave a bad impression with that person and make them wonder if he or she should help you again in the future.
Whenever you sit down to network with someone, taking a few moments to send a thank you e-mail or handwritten thank you note could be key to building that relationship and maintaining that contact. It shows the other person you appreciated his or her time, you are interested in the advice and will help you stand out from those who don't say thank you. This same technique can also be done with job interviews and sometimes that can be a deciding factor in whether or not someone will bring you in for another interview or even a job offer. A small thank you note can mean a lot to someone and could help keep your foot in the door for an opportunity.
On a personal level, there are probably people who have helped you along the way with matters outside of your job. This could come in the form of helping out with a personal relationship (or dating), helping with a job around the house, or being there in times of trouble or personal matters. Taking a few moments to say thank you to those people can help build these relationships as well.
In these instances, sending a thank you note can be done but you can also take it to another level if this person is a friend. Sometimes including a gift card to a favorite restaurant, movie tickets, or other gift card is a nice way to show appreciation as well. It serves as a pleasant surprise and really demonstrates to the other person that his or her help was appreciated.
Whether it's your professional or personal life, someone has probably helped you along the way and it's always best to give thanks. It will show the other person the kindness was appreciated, provide reason to continue and develop that relationship, and provide other opportunities down the line.
If someone has done you a favor or helped you along the way, saying thank you can help build and strengthen that relationship with that person. Taking a few moments to show your appreciation will prove to that person you cared about his or her time, you appreciated the assistance and you care enough to take a few moments to show gratitude. Not taking the time to say thank you could leave a bad impression with that person and make them wonder if he or she should help you again in the future.
Whenever you sit down to network with someone, taking a few moments to send a thank you e-mail or handwritten thank you note could be key to building that relationship and maintaining that contact. It shows the other person you appreciated his or her time, you are interested in the advice and will help you stand out from those who don't say thank you. This same technique can also be done with job interviews and sometimes that can be a deciding factor in whether or not someone will bring you in for another interview or even a job offer. A small thank you note can mean a lot to someone and could help keep your foot in the door for an opportunity.
On a personal level, there are probably people who have helped you along the way with matters outside of your job. This could come in the form of helping out with a personal relationship (or dating), helping with a job around the house, or being there in times of trouble or personal matters. Taking a few moments to say thank you to those people can help build these relationships as well.
In these instances, sending a thank you note can be done but you can also take it to another level if this person is a friend. Sometimes including a gift card to a favorite restaurant, movie tickets, or other gift card is a nice way to show appreciation as well. It serves as a pleasant surprise and really demonstrates to the other person that his or her help was appreciated.
Whether it's your professional or personal life, someone has probably helped you along the way and it's always best to give thanks. It will show the other person the kindness was appreciated, provide reason to continue and develop that relationship, and provide other opportunities down the line.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Taking Time To Learn About Others is Key in Building Relationships
In business and in your personal life, having relationships and friends can provide support and encouragement. It's important to have those who will be in your corner, lend a shoulder to cry on when needed and be a good sounding board when you need one. Relationships can be beneficial and can be built by taking the time to learn about the other person.
As a way to build a relationship with someone, it's important to take time to learn about the person sitting across from you instead of giving them your verbal autobiography. Taking time to understand the other person's interests, needs, and values shows you care and provides reason for the relationship to develop. Showing an interest in what's important to the person you are building a relationship with will set you apart from so many other people.
Developing relationships and taking time to learn about others does take practice but can be done. You can practice by talking to your neighbors at home. the people you work with, the people you interact with at your favorite restaurants or coffee shops, etc. When you interact with these people, take time to show interest in their day, what they are currently up to and you might be surprised how a conversation and relationship can develop.
During my college years, one of the ways I practiced learning about others is by taking time to ask the cafeteria people, my classmates, my professors, the people who worked in the bookstore, etc. how their days were going and listening to what these people had to say. By taking time to simply ask, "Are you having a good day?" or "What have you been up to lately?" and listening to their responses, it set me apart because I took time to show I cared about the person I was asking the question to. It made me a more familiar and friendly face on campus and I was able to make a lot of friends as a result of this.
Building relationships is key but how you go about doing it is important as well. Take time to learn about others and it can open up more doors then you can imagine.
As a way to build a relationship with someone, it's important to take time to learn about the person sitting across from you instead of giving them your verbal autobiography. Taking time to understand the other person's interests, needs, and values shows you care and provides reason for the relationship to develop. Showing an interest in what's important to the person you are building a relationship with will set you apart from so many other people.
Developing relationships and taking time to learn about others does take practice but can be done. You can practice by talking to your neighbors at home. the people you work with, the people you interact with at your favorite restaurants or coffee shops, etc. When you interact with these people, take time to show interest in their day, what they are currently up to and you might be surprised how a conversation and relationship can develop.
During my college years, one of the ways I practiced learning about others is by taking time to ask the cafeteria people, my classmates, my professors, the people who worked in the bookstore, etc. how their days were going and listening to what these people had to say. By taking time to simply ask, "Are you having a good day?" or "What have you been up to lately?" and listening to their responses, it set me apart because I took time to show I cared about the person I was asking the question to. It made me a more familiar and friendly face on campus and I was able to make a lot of friends as a result of this.
Building relationships is key but how you go about doing it is important as well. Take time to learn about others and it can open up more doors then you can imagine.
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