Social Skills for a Social World

5 Tips to boost your social interactions in your everyday life

Nichole D Collins, PhD, BCBA, LBA

Go to social places: Sure, you can interact on the phone or the internet, but you may be missing out on some rewarding experiences.  Find an activity that has things you like or know about to give you something to discuss!  Common interests are a great way to start friendships.

Get familiar with the environment: Different events, places, and people require different types of social skills.  Take some time to prepare and observe what the expectations of the environment might be.  This can help you to decide how you’d like to approach the social setting in a way that feels comfortable to you.

Take a class: If you aren’t sure where to get started, consider taking a class.  A local social skills class or even a customer service class can help to get you thinking about how you approach social situations and give you some useful tips to apply in your own life.

Enlist a mentor: There are many reasons that a mentor can be helpful to stepping into more social environments. They can help you prepare ahead of time, give some advice, and provide feedback. They can also help by just being there with you and socializing. Try to find a mentor that can give you honest feedback in an empathetic manner.

Reward yourself: Sometimes it’s hard to put yourself out there even if you really want to.  New social environments and new connections can make many people feel anxious at first.  Plan a reward for yourself for trying new things.  Whether you give yourself a high five or you reward yourself with a favorite snack, rewards can help us to keep trying.

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