There's definitely a lot of great viewpoints in this thread. Believe it or not
@Andy Black , your material has helped me a lot. It is simple and practical.
I felt like napping before going to the gym. But time is of the essence.
I was able to let a guy know he should go below parallel on squats. He didn't know what that meant, so I explained and then asked him if he cared to know why he should do it, and he said "no, I'll just do it", so I left it at that. He proceeded to squat lower at higher weight, which was cool. Although his friend tried it, he did a rep and then nodded no, to which I said "you might have to lower the weight now but in two weeks you'll be stronger than this" and it removed his despair.
Saw a guy moving plates from one bar to the other so I thought I would help but he actually wanted the ones I moved in place, so that was awkward. It helps to ask if they need it, first!
Offered to spot someone and he said "no". So I smiled, gave a thumbs up, and said "okay".
Asked a woman what exercises she was doing, to which she replied "shoulders". After some joking, gave her a piece of advice on shoulder raises about pretending that the elbows are the hands. This mentally shortens your levers.
"Have a good day" works terrifically more effective than "Hi" to passersby (while I'm on a bike). Lots more smiling and less "WTF do I know him?"
Went to Toastmasters and enjoyed it! It is in a room with a positive atmosphere and driven people.
I got asked to describe my elevator pitch. I said, "Hello, I'm IrishSpring600. I'm an aspiring entrepreneur. I came to a Toastmasters once and I liked it so I decided to get a job to become a member."
"What will your business be about?"
Floored. I had no good response and said "oh it will have to be fitness", to which someone not-so-discreetly laughed. It left me in doubt. I don't know what's in demand.
I almost felt like walking out mid-meeting, but realized the answer is
"I'm in the business of helping people". If I get asked, "what field?" I respond, "their field. If I'm able to help, I will give them a solution."
After the meeting and by using
@Andy Black 's advice of giving attention, I advised a nervous woman to treat us like her kids and she's just a mom giving her kids advice. Since she has two kids, it worked! It opened her up and she couldn't stop talking. She then networked more, so that was cool. Maybe I should have offered to tutor her in Speech, but I would be stepping on the Toastmasters organizers toes - what do you think?
I was able to volunteer at the other event even though I arrived at closing time. She advised that I should assist in breakdown and I obliged.
This is the cheeriest place ever. Everyone's smiling and socializing: exactly like a college party minus the booze, frat boys, cops, etc. This is the event for performing artists demonstrating their talent. I also made plans with a guy that's looking to be more social and we're supposed to meet up at the same cafe - which, I just realized, is on labor day. That will probably fall through, but I do plan on giving more love around here and will eventually run into him.
It's a really loving community, and as I said, I'm glad I got to check out both events. I definitely am looking forward to giving more love (no psych majors, plz) tomorrow. Right now I have midnight shift in the valet. Let me know your feedback on this post, if it had too much fat and little meat, for example, so I know how to post in the future.