1. When in doubt, smile.
I have a bad memory for names and faces, which means if I meet you briefly for the first time, I’m almost certain to have forgotten where I met you and your name by the time our paths cross again. It also means if you smile at me because, of course, your memory is better than mine, there’s a good chance I’ll respond with a blank look because I’m trying to remember where I’ve seen you. Once, I even averted my eyes because I’d totally forgotten I met that person before (to that poor guy, I’m sorry.) From now on, I’m adopting a ‘when in doubt, smile’ policy. If someone smiles at me, I smile back. If someone makes eye contact, I smile. When in doubt, smile. I can always crack my head trying to remember who the person is later.
2. It won’t kill me to make friends.
I’m not an overly outgoing person. Some days I’m even antisocial. The way I look at it, I have a certain number of sociable points and once I run out, I have to go into hiding until the stash is replenished. It’s more a mental thing than anything else, I know, because when I’m mentally prepared (ie. in the mood), I’m practically Ms. Sociable. And more often than not, I end up coming away having had a great time. It may take effort initially, but I’ve always believed (in principle, anyway) in meeting new people and making new friends. You never know who’ll end up becoming a buddy, who you may one day end up working with or who you may need a favour from.
3. Seize every opportunity.
I know this in theory, I don’t know why I always forget to apply it in person. Whether it’s wanting a photograph with a celebrity, asking for an interview or something that I want, or trying out a new experience I may never chance upon again, I am really living the phrase ‘you only get this opportunity once’. I am kicking myself for opportunities missed, and resolving to seize every opportunity that comes my way from now on.
4. Never assume people don’t remember me.
I always assume this and it’s Not Good. It makes me seem unconfident and insignificant without me lifting a finger. Actually, it’s because I don’t lift a finger. Not to say hello, not to shake hands, I simply assume people don’t remember me. I once spent over an hour with a local celebrity interviewing her, and when I saw her at an event several months later, for some weird reason I didn’t think she would remember me. Like, seriously? So I didn’t say anything. Which probably came across a little rude. A couple of months ago, we talked and I found out that she remembered me all along. I must have ignored her half a dozen times since our first meeting. From now on, I’m assuming people remember me, though just to be safe, I’ll also remind them why they should.
