Problem: Article: Though many people share their first kiss in middle school, many people are also not ready to kiss when they're at this young age. If you're still in middle school, you have to make sure that you're ready and that the girl you're with is also ready to kiss you. If you've started dating and she's hinted that she wants to kiss you or has responded well to your affection, then you're on the right track, but you should try to be as sure as you can before you make a move. Ideally, you should have kissed your girl before the movies to make your movie kiss less awkward. It can be kind of hard to kiss someone for the first time in the dark. You should pick a movie that is suitable for kissing. Pick a romantic movie or something lighthearted, so she wouldn't feel weird about kissing you in the middle of the movie.  Just make sure you don't pick something that she's been dying to see or she'll be too interested in the movie to take a kissing break. You should also try to pick a movie that won't be too crowded; pick something that's been out for at least a month, so the theatre won't be packed. If you're surrounded by families or other kids, it'll be harder to make a move. Let the girl pick the movie to make her feel special. Ask her if there's something she's really wanted to see. But if she says she really doesn't care, then you can take charge. Shower before you go. Brush your teeth well. Use deodorant and dress nicely. You can also carry mints for later. You don't have to dress to the nines, but let the girl see that you've made an effort to go on a date with her.  She'll appreciate that you made the effort and will be more likely to respond favorably. If you dress to see her like you dress for school, then she won't feel very special. Though you can get some popcorn or M&Ms if that's what you both really want, remember that this will make it a little harder to make a move. You'll be less likely to steal a kiss if your fingers are covered in nacho cheese or popcorn butter. If she wants popcorn, of course, then you should order it without being cagey, but if she says she doesn't care, then you can skip out on the treats and focus on the main attraction. Though the movie theatre is a public place, you should try to find somewhere to sit where you won't be surrounded by too many people. Though it's hard to get true privacy in the movies, you should do the best you can to sit away from large or noisy groups of people. Try to get a seat on one of the sides of the theatre, near the wall, so that you are less likely to disturb people if you try to steal a kiss. Try not to be obvious about it. If your girl asks why you're so picky, just say that you like sitting on the sides of the theatre.
Summary: Make sure you're both ready. Pick the right movie. Make sure you look nice. Minimize the concessions. Find a private seat.

Problem: Article: Mistakes can help you learn, but only if you make sure they are corrected. For example, if you use the wrong ingredient while cooking, be sure to ask your mother or a knowledgeable person about the correct way to use the ingredient, so that you can revise the information in your memory. It can be helpful to write down when, where, and how you're making mistakes in your life. This will create additional awareness of your patterns, which may be difficult to notice in the heat of the moment. Carry a small pocket journal around with you and make note of times that you did something wrong. Review the entries later when you have free time, and explore options for what you could have done differently.  For example, if you're working on a new recipe and things keep going poorly, make a note of where you're messing up. Think about it later that evening and see if you can come up with ways to prepare the dish differently. You should also keep track of your successes. You will be more motivated to continue learning despite making mistakes if you can track your progress over time and celebrate what you're good at. A solely negative focus is unhelpful. “Be-good” goals set unrealistic expectations for yourself, especially if you're just starting out with an activity. If you set “be-good” goals, you are raising the stakes and telling yourself that you need to succeed in order to be a good person. “Get-better” goals, on the other hand, are all about improvement. With these goals, you don't need ridiculously high achievements in order to feel good about yourself. You're aiming for improvement, not perfection. For example, focus on the “get-better” goal of learning how different spices affect the taste of food, rather than the “be-good” goal of being a master chef right off the bat. Time isn't the only ingredient necessary to learn from your mistakes. You will also benefit from going forward with a specific purpose. This is why it's important that you locate your mistakes and the reasons behind them. Being aware of what you're doing wrong, and why, will help you create a plan to practice and increase your competence. For example, if you're trying to perfect a basic cooking skill like boiling pasta, do it over and over until you get the timing right. It may take a while to get the desired softness of the pasta, but the more you practice, the closer you will get. There's no shame in asking for help with something you haven't gotten the hang of yet. Putting your ego aside and learning from someone who has more experience than you is a great way to improve, especially if you find yourself in a rut and don't know how to proceed. For example, ask a chef at your favorite restaurant or a family member with a lot of cooking experience if you are having trouble with a cooking basic. Research suggests that people who believe they can learn from mistakes are actually more likely to learn from mistakes. Knowing that it's possible for you to learn from mistakes is a good step toward actually doing it. After a mistake such as burning a dish, tell yourself “I can learn from this. It’s possible to use this experience. Now I know to use a lower oven temperature.” We’re told not to make excuses for our mistakes, but that's different from knowing about the reasons for our mistakes. If a meal you are cooking doesn't come out right, it's okay to recognize the fact that you made a mistake such as not following the recipe closely enough or reaching for the salt instead of sugar. That's a reason, not an excuse. Searching for the reasons behind your mistakes can help you do better in the future, because it will show you where you went wrong. Some more reasons to look out for:  Being late to events because of not getting up early enough. Getting written up for messing up a project because you didn't ask for clarification. Failing a test because you neglected to study, or didn't prioritize your studying well. Sometimes all it takes to learn from a mistake is one pass. This isn't always the case, however. Many times, in order to learn from a mistake, we have to make it several times over. It can be difficult to catch on at first, so give yourself leeway to make the same mistake a few times before getting frustrated.
Summary:
Correct your mistakes. Keep a journal of your mistakes and successes. Focus on “get-better” goals rather than “be-good” goals. Engage in deliberate practice. Ask for help. Believe in your abilities. Know that reasons are not the same as excuses. Give yourself time.