What We Usually Do
When a child misbehaves, or even an adult, how do we react? My friend has a roommate who often feels that her roommates do not care about her. This roommate will sometimes react negatively and call her roommates names and make accusations against them. My friend and the other roommates often retreat and don't want anything to do with this certain roommate. From an outsider's perspective, this type of reaction could encourage the attention-seeking roommate.
What We Should Do
Bad behavior should not just simply be punished. Bad behavior is often the result of a need being unfulfilled. That need should be recognized before any sort of action is taken. With the example of the temper-tantrum roommate, my friend and the other roommates should take time to ponder why their roommate is acting is such a way and what needs this roommate may have. There are different steps to take instead of just punishing bad behavior.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Setting a Budget
Setting a Budget
I have never really had a budget. I always just knew not to spend more than I had, and so I never worried past that. However, as I'm getting older, I'm realizing that I could have saved a lot of my money that I just spent frivolously on things I didn't really need at the time.
Why Set a Budget?
Someone like me often asks, Why should I set a budget? How can it help me? Well, setting a budget can:
I have never really had a budget. I always just knew not to spend more than I had, and so I never worried past that. However, as I'm getting older, I'm realizing that I could have saved a lot of my money that I just spent frivolously on things I didn't really need at the time.
Why Set a Budget?
Someone like me often asks, Why should I set a budget? How can it help me? Well, setting a budget can:
- Help you track your money better
- Help you save money
- Prepare you for times when your money is tight
- Make you feel more in control of your spending habits
- Help you see the difference between your needs and your wants
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Communication
Different Types of Communication
The three different types of communication are:
1) Words
2) Tone
3) Nonverbal
There is a great quote in the movie Hitch: "60% of all human communication is nonverbal body language; 30% is your tone, so that means 90% of what you're saying ain't coming out of your mouth."
I think that this greatly shows how the different types of communication influence interpretation. It also illustrates how easily misinterpretations can arise. Even words, the "10%" of communication, can have different meanings for different people. And even when you are using the "correct" words, if your tone or body language "betrays you", then the interpretation of what you are saying could bring about vastly different meanings.
How to Overcome Miscommunication
1) Make sure you have the person's attention. If either of you are distracted, then it will be harder to communicate and get your message across.
2) Think before you speak. This is easier said than done. But it's important to remind yourself of who you are speaking to, what your goal is to communicate, and what words may be misinterpreted.
3) Don't assume. Unless you say something, you usually cannot be entirely sure the other person knows what you're thinking, feeling, or whatever. Even after you are done speaking, you still can't assume that they got the full gist of your thoughts.
4) Be clear. Keep the message as simple as possible. Don't ramble or go on to a lot of extra details. You'll end up losing the person if you talk on and on and on on a tangent.
5) Listen. This is a key step. Communication is not a one-sided thing. It needs to involve more than one person, and once you are done speaking, you need to now give your full attention to the other person and make sure that they got what you were saying.
The three different types of communication are:
1) Words
2) Tone
3) Nonverbal
There is a great quote in the movie Hitch: "60% of all human communication is nonverbal body language; 30% is your tone, so that means 90% of what you're saying ain't coming out of your mouth."
I think that this greatly shows how the different types of communication influence interpretation. It also illustrates how easily misinterpretations can arise. Even words, the "10%" of communication, can have different meanings for different people. And even when you are using the "correct" words, if your tone or body language "betrays you", then the interpretation of what you are saying could bring about vastly different meanings.
How to Overcome Miscommunication
1) Make sure you have the person's attention. If either of you are distracted, then it will be harder to communicate and get your message across.
2) Think before you speak. This is easier said than done. But it's important to remind yourself of who you are speaking to, what your goal is to communicate, and what words may be misinterpreted.
3) Don't assume. Unless you say something, you usually cannot be entirely sure the other person knows what you're thinking, feeling, or whatever. Even after you are done speaking, you still can't assume that they got the full gist of your thoughts.
4) Be clear. Keep the message as simple as possible. Don't ramble or go on to a lot of extra details. You'll end up losing the person if you talk on and on and on on a tangent.
5) Listen. This is a key step. Communication is not a one-sided thing. It needs to involve more than one person, and once you are done speaking, you need to now give your full attention to the other person and make sure that they got what you were saying.
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Stress
Stress is something that affects every person, every group, every nation, and especially every family.
Variety of Forms
Stress comes in many different ways. Stress can come because of poor decisions we've made and the consequences are unwanted. Stress can come because of what other people have done, like a child running away from home. Stress can also be a result of circumstances that are just out of our control, like a death or illness.
Coping with Stress
Some ways of coping with stress are healthy and others not so much. Unhealthy ways include ignoring the stress or the problem causing stress, turning to drugs or alcohol, or pushing away concerned friends/family. Healthy ways are seeking help from friends/family/a therapist, using relaxation techniques, or exercising.
Seeing the Opportunity
Most of us dread having to deal with situations that bring about stress. However, the things that try us the most often bring us closer to our family or friends and cause us to value the things that matter most in life. When we endure a hardship, it opens our eyes to new perspectives and outlooks.
Variety of Forms
Stress comes in many different ways. Stress can come because of poor decisions we've made and the consequences are unwanted. Stress can come because of what other people have done, like a child running away from home. Stress can also be a result of circumstances that are just out of our control, like a death or illness.
Coping with Stress
Some ways of coping with stress are healthy and others not so much. Unhealthy ways include ignoring the stress or the problem causing stress, turning to drugs or alcohol, or pushing away concerned friends/family. Healthy ways are seeking help from friends/family/a therapist, using relaxation techniques, or exercising.
Seeing the Opportunity
Most of us dread having to deal with situations that bring about stress. However, the things that try us the most often bring us closer to our family or friends and cause us to value the things that matter most in life. When we endure a hardship, it opens our eyes to new perspectives and outlooks.
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