Hi guys!

I'm not really a people person.  Well, I am, but people annoy me really easily.  I know I'm not the only one who feels this way.  I'm quiet and I'm shy.  However, once you get to know me and I get to know you, we're cool.  There are some people I don't bother talking to because I just don't think it's necessary.  It's kind of a bad quality trait.  My mom hates it!  Every family party we go to, there's everyone else and then there's me and my dad in the corner sitting down talking about when my mom will stop socializing so we can leave.  We're the ultimate antisocial duo.  It doesn't bother us, but I know it's not a good look.  It makes me seem standoffish, stuckup-ish, snobbish, etc.  I swear to you I'm none of those characteristics.  I think I'm a great person.  I just can't stomach people, especially in big groups.  In a classroom, sometimes I want to bang my head against the wall because of the comments people say.  Omg and when I'm around my teammates (mind you, there's 12 of us) I want to bury my head into a pillow and yell my brains out.  Clearly, I'm not really a patient person.  But if there is something I've learned, there are always ways to deal with people — whether you want to or not. I don't really have a choice.  People are everywhere.  So, I'm going to tell you how I get through a day.

Make Your Bed

At our first team meeting of the year, we were introduced to our new strength and conditioning coach.  He was this Italian guy with a cool haircut and an interesting mustache.  He came in and didn't say much until it was time to introduce himself.  When he got up to talk to us, he told us to make our beds every morning.  At first I was like "um, no."  I thought he was crazy.  I had not made my bed since my senior year of high school.  Making your bed in college takes up too much time.  You wake up, get ready for class, and just leave.  He claimed that making your bed is a sign of how your day will be.  If you make your bed every day, the perception of your day will change.

So, I took his advice.  The next day, I made my bed and I continue to make my bed every day after that.  It's a mental thing.  When you take the time to do something, you usually do it right.  It's not what you do, it's how you do it.  When you wake up and make your bed, you can start your day off on the right foot.  It should become habit.  It takes 30 seconds and it helps form other habits that will make your day more beneficial.  If you leave your bed messy, you have created a chaotic atmosphere —perhaps one that will follow you throughout the day.  Ever since I've been making my bed, my outlook on my day is a whole lot brighter.  I'm nicer.  I'm more energized.  I smile more.  I'm happier.  I'm more interested.  And importantly, I usually have a good practice.  One day I didn't make my bed and it was an absolute disaster.  Try to make your bed!  I'm pretty sure you'll see and feel the difference.

Smile

I'm generally a very happy person.  You'll rarely catch me without a smile on my face, unless I had a bad practice or I didn't do too well on a test.  Other than that, life is too short to walk around unhappy.  Not being a people person doesn't mean you have to be an angry person.  I was always thought to be polite and respectful.  Hey, what's up, good morning, thank you, you're welcome, and bless you are common phrases people should be saying everyday.  It doesn't hurt to say any of that, especially with a smile on.  You wouldn't believe what a smile and one of those phrases means to a person.  Nowadays, respect is like a foreign territory.  That's not me.  I may prefer to be in my room watching Law & Order: SVU, but making someone's day with a smile is equally gratifying.

Be Open Minded

Imagine going through a day and being completely negative.  That's horrible!  No matter how bad you feel or how upset you were the day before, be happy that you woke up.  There are so many things to be happy about.  The happy things will always outweigh the bad things.  By being happy, your mind is open and clear.  You are susceptible to learn something new or do something new or meet someone new.  If you care about your day, you'll be a little bit more interested in class.  Classes won't be such a drag.  Trust me, I know!  Although people's comments can be questionable, they're totally entitled to them.  I don't have to like it, but I must respect it.  Being open minded helps me see things through people's eyes.  I understand what they're saying more and more by not automatically shunning what they have to say.  What they say can be debatable, but what one person has to say is just as important as what I have to say.  Many people might not like what I say in class, but they listen, acknowledge it, and respect it.  We don't have to see eye to eye, but we do have to be mindful of each other.

These are just a few of the most important things that help me get through each and every day.  I come in contact with lots of people.  These things force me to be a patient and better person.  As you can see, I'm no where near perfect.  However, my reservedness should never be a reason to have a bad day.  My flaws should never be a reason to be rude to everyone.  Everyone has insecurities. All I know is that making my bed, smiling, and being open minded creates a positive aura surrounding me.  It's so easy to be negative, and so much harder to be positive. Making my bed, smiling, and being open minded helps me fight all those negative temptations.  It works for me! Maybe together we can make a better day and a better world.

Ugo 🙂