You Can't Buy GREEN

As you can see my post title includes the word GREEN.  I wonder what the word GREEN means to young school age children.  Does it mean a color of a crayon, the color of their favorite shirt, or the color of money?  From what I have read the color GREEN needs to be changed from a color to a lifestyle.  I feel that it is imperative that we set solid programs in place throughout our school systems to educate children about the need to recycle, and encourage them to challenge their friends to increase the awareness of the need to live "GREEN".

Where's the Recycling Container

After performing my field observations at IVC the experience raised my awareness of the volume of waste that could be recycled and or reused.  The experience has elevated my interest to learn about "Zero Waste" and ways that we can educate and promote sustainability.  I felt that the college should take a more active role by providing accessibility to recycling waste containers to encourage student use.

Sticky Pad

The other day while reading "How to Win Friends and Influence People" I thought I would try spreading a little Honey on a Sprint Representative.  My goal was to reduce my rate without losing any of my current services. Now, I must tell you up front, I have a low tolerance for people who tell me "WHY" they cannot do something.... to help me.
So ring a ding ring....I was now connected with Shirley.  I explained to Shirley in a "friendly way" that I had been a loyal customer for the past 12 years and that I was seeking to lower my rates.  I discussed possible options with other carriers.  Shirley jump in by telling me "that she could not do it" without hesitation.  To move Shirley to my way of thinking I asked what she would do, in an attempt to motivate her to believe that she held the solution to my problem.
This approach resulted in a 50% reduction in my phone bill, with no contract extension, or loss of services.

My Footprint Is Clean

The following week during class break, I approached the young woman and ask her if she was able to obtain the needed material.  She kindly said "No, that she wanted to purchase the book from the book store and that the book should be in the store next week".  I said "That's good" and again offered to help in anyway I could,  then our conversation moved smoothly onto another subject. 

I guess one could say that I recovered with ease and my footprint is clean, but it was not without lesson.  I found myself passing judgement upon someone that I did not even know; instead I should have been more understanding of her flight of emotions, fears, and interests.

Is There a Hole in My Toe?

Last week classes started and emotions were running high among the freshly enrolled students of all ages. I myself was apprehensive about the classes I enrolled in; was I going to like the classes, the instructors, my classmates?  A rush of questions that could make a person doubt their abilities and tamper with their confidence level. 
As I entered class, I noticed a woman that was in another one of my other classes.  You could tell by her communication with others that she was struggling with obtaining the correct material for the class. So, I reached out to her by offering to help.  While making several suggestions, I noticed she was anxious and just needed confirmation from someone that everything would fall in place.  As I tried to assure her that the information was on the web, it seemed as though she repeatedly came up with reasons why she could not access the information.
With every reason given the less I wanted to assist her.  I abruptly shut down my efforts by saying "I'm trying to help you". 
It was not until I got home did I realize that I had become judging of her and that I should have made another attempt after class to clam the tentions.  That night I thought of her several times.  I was not impressed on how I handled the situation and was determined to test the waters the next day.

Did I just shoot myself in the foot by dismissing her interest?  After all, she is a classmate and she could be a very resourceful person.  The answer is in the next post!

Your The One That Shoots

For all of those who have read and dabbled in the book, "How to Win Friends & Influence People", here is a reminder on "Becoming a Friendlier Person".  One must become genuinely interested in other people in order to build outstanding, productive, relationships.  The following post is an example of shooting at your own foot!