7 habits of {not very} effective people

**This post was inspired by one of my husband's all time favorite books is The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey (thank you Grandpa Hoffman for giving that boy good literature that helped make him a good man).  **

Everyday at work I meet some wonderful people.  Seriously, truck drivers are some of the most interesting people you'll ever come across.  However, I also meet people who make me wonder how they're still alive.  Not only does this happen at work, but pretty much everywhere.  The grocery store, the post office, my Facebook news feed, etc.  I mean, really, how do some of these people make it in life?  They clearly are not exhibiting the habits of highly effective people, but are exhibiting the habits of NOT VERY effective people.

Now I want to help out those who read my blog from making the same mistakes I see people make all the time (and mistakes I may have made a time or twenty).  Here's what NOT to do, ever...ever, ever, ever if you want to be an highly effective person (or just be taken seriously in life).

1. Post vague Facebook statuses about "him/her" "not understanding" or "not loving" or whatever the heck else.

I mean, really, I have no idea who "they" are.  I don't care to know about the problems in your personal life.  Honestly, you're probably my friend on Facebook for one of three reasons 1. We're actually friends and I honestly love you and care about you, 2. I need to see what people I went to high school with are doing or not doing with their lives now, or 3. You have really cute babies or animals that I love seeing pictures of.

2. Gossip about people.

Honestly, I just get annoyed when people talk behind other people's backs.  If you have a problem, just tell the person.  At least if that's me.  And those that spread the gossip that other's say, just get a life.  I don't care if so and so thinks my hair looks funny.  And I think you're silly for telling me they said that.  Honestly, who gives a rat's behind?

3. Pretend to be stupid.

This annoys the heck out of me, especially when women do this.  When did intelligence become something that makes us unattractive?  Seriously, educate yourselves and don't "pretend" you don't know things.  It's a good thing to have knowledge!  It shouldn't be treated like some weird thing that will surely prevent you from ever landing a man.

4. Paging Dr. Facebook.

I understand that you might not know what some bite really is or why your children's barf is blue.  However, I don't want to see pictures of it, hear about the nasty symptoms or anything of that nature.  If you really have a medical question, look it up on WebMD like the rest of us...and, always CONTACT YOUR REAL DOCTOR!

5. Staring.

This is one of my absolute biggest pet peeves EVER.  I hate when people stare at anyone for any reason.  I get on my husband about this all the time, because he has stare-itis or something.  He stares at things all the time and it annoys me to death.  So yeah, I don't care how weird you think something or someone is, DON'T STARE!

6. Need to tell you how to do things.

No, woman at the super market I am sure you know that Diet Coke will eventually kill me and give me cancer.  It's staying in my cart, but thanks. 

7.  Being unkind.

I will never understand people who are just hateful when they meet people.  Honestly, everyone is having a difficult trial that we don't understand.  Everyone struggles with something.  Why make it more difficult on them by being so mean?  Regardless of the circumstances a person is in, we're all in this together.  Why not make the journey of life easier for someone rather than make it more difficult? 

**Disclaimer: I have had this post sitting in my drafts thinking it was too harsh and that I'd read it later.  I read through it today and didn't change one thing.  Sometimes, you just have to let your feelings get out there I guess**