Reviving Relationships
As the days fly by you may not necessarily realize how long its been since reconnecting with certain people in your life. While at a family members house during a recent trip to the Midwest I was able to attend a local BBQ. There were multiple people at the BBQ that I hadn’t seen in years, a few it had been 20 plus years. When people get busy with their lives and you live across the country from each other you just cannot get together on a regular basis. The reunion was not planned but it was really neat that we all timed our visit right around the same time. It was an avenue to reunite with each other and catch up on the lives of those we have not seen for quite awhile.We are grateful to have so many different ways of communicating these days through phone, email, Facebook and other Social Media. Although even with distance between family, friends, and business connections we have more ways to interact with each other regularly. However, face to face interaction is definitely more personal and more memories can be created together. Having these multiple venues for staying connected in between the face to face reunions help us stay involved in the lives of family, friends, and business acquaintances. You may meet someone and get to know them first online before meeting them in person. Many great business relationships have been started via Social Media. We are thankful to have these tools available for us to both initiate and continue conversations with people in our lives.
How do you stay connected to family, friends, and business contacts?
(Part II) Making Your Commitments – Well Done
Every day we makes choices on how to spend our time and energy. It is important to the people in our lives that we follow through with the commitments we make both personally and professionally. Great satisfaction comes from a job that is done well and wonderful feedback is given when a relationship is built on quality characteristics. We all have vital roles in life and you will make a huge impact on the people your life touches. The question is will your impact be positive one for the people in your life? What are some of the common the characteristics of people who keep their commitments to others:- Integrity – adherence to moral and ethical principles; soundness of moral character (Dictionary.com) Someone who does the right thing no matter what especially when they make a mistake or miss a deadline. Take responsibility for your actions.
- Honesty – whether it is someone in your personal or professional life you will quickly learn who do and those who do not tell the truth. The truth can sting and be hurtful, however, it is the best way to handle any situation. You can try to cover something up but eventually the truth will be revealed. Make sure to always speak the truth in love. Be honest today in your relationships.
- Dependable – do what you say you will do and be where you say you will be. Be punctual as much as possible. A dependable person demonstrates to others that they are valuable and their time is appreciated. When you tell a friend you are coming, it’s pretty simple…..come. Unforeseeable things can happen and if that is the case contact them as soon as possible. Be considerate of the person who is expecting to see you or receive something from you.
- Trustworthy – when someone shares with you they are opening up their hearts and minds to you. Whether it is a client you are helping complete a project or a friend going through a tough time. Listen and help. If someone shares with you in confidence it simply must remain in confidence. When you make a promise follow through. It takes work to build healthy relationships with the people in your life.
We all desire to be appreciated and know who we can trust to be honest, trustworthy, and dependable. It is important to have people in your life you can count on to come through for you both personally and professionally. Life is short and we need the positive impacts in our lives. Take time to evaluate the characteristics that shine through in your life to your family, friends, business partners, etc… Make sure you have commitments that are – well done. What are some positive characteristics you have that help you build positive relationships and keep your commitments? Do you have areas you need to improve in as well?
Dream It, Believe It, Do It
Yes, it is true we are nearly halfway through the first month of 2010. Have you taken the time to evaluate the things that drive you personally and professionally? What are you passionate about? It is amazing to think we are already off to another great start and yet some have not taken the time to think about what you want to accomplish this week, month, year, and in your lifetime. Although it is difficult to sit down and write out your goals it is important take time to do it. Great quote……“It’s a dream until you write it down…then it’s a goal.” – Anonymous
-
Brainstorm and Get Your Ideas Out – every day for the next several days take time to write out your thoughts, goals, hopes, and wishes both personally and professionally. Write about what you want for yourself, your family, friends, business, and career. It doesn’t have to be written neatly or in complete sentences the purpose is to get it out of your head and onto paper.
-
Write them down – take the information from your brainstorming sessions and write down specific goals that you want to accomplish in 2010 and beyond. Do this for the areas in your life that are important to you – personally, physically, spiritually, family, friends, professionally, and any other areas that you want to improve.
-
Make them Measurable – you need to be able to gauge your advancement towards the goals. Found time regularly to review how you are doing. Believe in yourself and that you can accomplish your dreams. If you are starting to get behind on a goal step it up a few notches and make sure to find ways to stay positive. Keep moving forward, you can do it.
-
Challenging and Accomplishable – if you can reach all your goals by the end of the first quarter they are not challenging enough. Or if it is impossible to reach them within the time period you set than you need to review the goals. You want constantly to stretch yourself to reach new levels of success.
-
Recharge – share your goals with your accountability partners and meet with them regularly. It is wise to have people in your life that will be honest with you. They will help encourage you to continue reaching for those areas where you are wanting to grow.
Wishing you a truly wonderful 2010 year full of happiness, success, great memories, and joy. Continue to evaluate your goals and push forward. Be positive and celebrate your successes! What are some of your goals for 2010 and beyond?
-
“Amazing People”
All of us have people in our lives that are fascinating and motivating to be around. It has been a privilege to have these people in my life both personally and professionally. What makes a person “Amazing”?As I reflect on the people in my life I began to notice some common attributes:
- Respectful – they are polite and show consideration for others. Whether your a parent teaching your children manners or a professional working in the business community respect for others goes a long way in building positive relationships.
- Exciting – they know how to motivate others to action with a high level of energy that is contagious. A lot of passion is put into their activities and projects which makes others want to be a part of it.
- Integrity – they uphold a code of ethical principles and sound character. They are consistent and do what they say they will do both personally and in business.
- Trustworthy – they are a confidant and person you trust to be honest to the people in their lives. They know how to speak the truth because it is their desire to improve the lives of their family, friends, and business partners.
First, think about what it takes to be an amazing person and strive to be one yourself. Each day enrich the lives of those around you through respectfulness, excitement, integrity, and trust. Surround yourself with amazing people both personally and professionally. Together as a business community or as a group of family and friends you can make a positive impact in the lives of others. Do you have “Amazing People” in your life and if so what are some of their attributes?
A Gift of Thanks!
When is the last time you were given a thoughtful gift from the heart? A gift that made a positive impact on your life? I love Thanksgiving because it is a truly wonderful time of the year when people are thankful for all the blessings in their lives. We need to make a real effort to continue the spirit of thankfulness every day of our lives. Take time every day to make a meaningful contribution into a person’s life. Everyone desires to be appreciated and thoughtfulness for others goes a long way in both our personal and professional lives. Giving “A Gift of Thanks” does not mean it has to be time consuming, expensive, or stressful. Here are a few quick ways to express your “Gift of Thanks” and thoughtfulness to those you interact with in your day to day life:
- Share a Smile – you may be the only smile someone encounters that day. Make it a point to specifically smile at people you interact with throughout the day. Smile when you are greeting people prior to a business event, shopping at the grocery store, waiting in line, welcoming them into your home, or making an introduction.
- Give a Hug – greet a personal or professional contact with a hug. Some people love hugs and others really need a hug. This is true in both personal and business situations. A hug is more personal than a handshake and demonstrates an appreciation for the recipient. Use discernment and common sense because not everyone will be comfortable with a hug. Reserve big bear hugs for close friends and family.
- Note of Appreciation – a handwritten note of thanks, appreciation or thoughtfulness still means a lot. Whether it is a client you haven’t heard from in a couple weeks, a friend who has recently lost a loved one, a family member on your mind and heart, a birthday, or reconnecting with a business contact. Take the time to write a note and touch the lives of those connected to you.
- Call of Encouragement – use the phone as friendly reminder that you care. If they do not answer please be courteous and leave a message. New business owners are excited about their products or services, call to see how things are going for them, listen, and encourage them. A Mom with a newborn may appreciate a call from a friend to share new milestones or to encourage her. Some people love a long chit chat and others do not. Practice ways to give a “word” of encouragement while respecting their time.
- Cup of Coffee or Tea – share a cup of coffee or tea with a business contact, friend, or family member. It is important to reconnect with someone you haven’t seen in awhile. Make it a time to catch up and learn about what’s going on in their life and/or business. It is not a time to sale or pry into deep problems but a few moments to help and encourage.
Take time every day to give “A Gift of Thanks” to someone connected to you both personally and professionally. Reaching out to others will be a rewarding experience for everyone. Let’s help each other remember the importance of showing appreciation and kindness to others as a daily routine. Please share a story of how you were impacted or how you impacted another person by giving “A Gift of Thanks” with us.
Wishing you a safe and Happy Thanksgiving!
