Daily hygiene habits

• Shower or bathe regularly.  People don’t notice when they exude an odor.  I have especially found this true with those who smoke.  They can’t smell the smoke, but those around them can.
• Deodorant can also help prevent body odor.  It is not a substitute for the shower because it doesn’t work too well when body odor is already present.  Put it on after a shower, before there is a body odor problem.
• Change clothing, especially undergarments, daily.
• Brush your teeth twice a day.  It also helps to clean your tongue by brushing it too.  Don’t forget to floss.
• Keep fingernails and toenails trimmed and looking nice and clean. If you wear nail polish, remove it once it starts chipping.
• Wash your hands before eating and after using the restroom.  This prevents the spread of germs and viruses that can cause illness.
• Keep clothing, shoes, socks, backpacks, purses, belts, etc. in good condition, clean and free of rips.

Can you tell when your mom is in a bad mood, even if she doesn’t say anything?

Can you tell you’re your dad is in a joking mood and when he is not?

Many times we can pick up on how people are feeling, without them saying a word. It has to do with the different energy that we put out. Everyone puts out this energy without thinking about it, and it matches our moods and attitudes. Other people can automatically pick up on this energy and can often tell your mood or attitude.

In this way, our attitude can show itself before you do anything.

So what does this mean when we meet people?

When you meet someone new, you have just a few seconds to make a first impression. That first impression will last a long time in the other person’s mind. Having a good attitude goes a long way in making a favorable first impression.

You could have the biggest smile and say all the right words, but if your attitude doesn’t match, the other person will probably pick up on it and think…”Something isn’t quite right here.” This does not lead to a good first impression.

And your attitude will automatically be reflected in your voice and body language.

So when meeting someone new for the first time, check your attitude first.

First we will discuss the Golden Rule.

My son summed up the Golden Rule this way…

Treat others the way you want to be treated.

You can find the Golden Rule as a guiding principle in many religions.

Now you may have already heard about the Golden Rule. But do you live by it? Do you make decisions about what to do or say based on the notion of treating others the way you want to be treated?

In the short survey we took at home, the resounding answer was, “No.”

Another question that came up…How far do you take the Golden Rule?

Peaches doesn’t like coconut, but she was given a tin of coconut cookies as a gift. Does the Golden Rule say that she should not offer anyone her coconut cookies because she would not anyone to offer her coconut cookies? Then she would be stuck with all of those cookies!

Actually, the Golden Rule is more about generalities and not about specific preferences. Indeed, she should share her cookies because she likes others to share things with her.

So you may be saying, this all sounds fine and dandy, but what’s in it for me? Why should I follow the Golden Rule?

What is in it for you can also be found as a principle in many religions…

As Ye Sow, So Shall Ye Reap

Or, as my son puts it…

What you put out in the world comes back to you.

The phrase “As Ye Sow, So Shall Ye Reap” is a farming metaphor. “Sowing” is planting and “reaping” is collecting the harvest. So this means that if you sow corn, you will reap corn. If you sow wheat, you won’t get blueberries…you’ll get wheat.

In our day to day lives with the people around us, it means that if we put anger and nastiness out there, we will get anger and nastiness back. But if we put love and kindness out there, that is we will get back. We can’t determine how it will come back, but we just know it is on its way.

Now we can see why the Golden Rule is such a good idea. If I treat others the way I want to be treated, then I will be treated the way I want!

They are at the store, at the park, at the school down the street, and quite a few of them probably hang out around your home.

Almost everything meaningful you do in your life will involve people.

That is why people skills are so important.

If you get a job with any company, you will have a boss, peers, customers, and maybe subordinates. Their opinions of you will matter. These people can make your life easier or more difficult.

If you go into business for yourself, you will have customers as well as many others you will have to work with on a regular basis. Your people skills will help determine if your business is successful or not.

Conflicts will arise. Your handling of these conflicts may have long term implications. Some people are very good at holding grudges and not very good at forgiveness.

You will come up with many great ideas in your lifetime. But you must be able to share those ideas with others and get them excited about your ideas in order to make them happen.

Good people skills help make happier families because there is better communication among all the family members.

Life is just much more fun when you make friends easily and have good friends around.

All of these are reasons to have good people skills.

In our People Skills unit, we will be covering:

·         Meeting People for the First Time

·         Conversation Starters

·         Making a Connection

·         Resolving Conflict

·         Listening Skills

·         Friends

·         And much more…

As you learn more about what makes people tick and improve your own people skills, you will find that life becomes more enjoyable and more fun.