We often take our business relationships for granted. Because of that, we do not always give them the attention they deserve or require. But good relationships require a lot of effort. This is the reason for investing in them as much as we need to make them successful. We should practice this discipline every day.
That means we give more than we expect to receive, love others unconditionally, look for ways to add value to others, and bring joy to the relationships that we consider as important. We should evaluate this area of our lives by asking ourselves, “Was I thoughtful toward people today? Would they express joy that they have spent time with me?” If the answer is yes, then I have done my part.
If you want to improve your relationships through your everyday actions, then do the following:
Put Others First
The best way to start off on the right foot is to put others first. The most basic way to do that is to practice the Golden Rule: Behave towards others as you would have them behave towards you. If you take that mindset into all your interactions with others, you cannot go wrong. But there are also other ways to show people they matter and that you are interested in their well-being: remember people’s names, smile at everyone, walk slowly through the crowd and be eager to offer help. People don not care how much you know until they know how much you care.
Do Not Carry Emotional Baggage
If you want to enjoy your time with other people, you have got to get rid of carrying of old hurts and offences in your life. If someone has hurt you should talk about it and resolve the problem. and get beyond it. If it is not worth of remembering, forget about it and move on.
Give Time to Your Most Valuable Relationships
Most people give away their energy on a first-come, first-served basis. Whoever gets their attention first gobbles up their time and relational energy. That is why so many people have nothing left to give when they get home from work. Your family provides the most valuable relationships in your life. They should come first as you plan how to spend your time. After that should come your next most important relationships. It is a matter of practicing good priorities.
Express Love and Appreciation Often
Many people believe that the best way they can help others is to criticize them, to give them the benefit of their “wisdom.” But in fact it is not true. The best way to help people is to see the best in them and encourage them. You should let them know that you see their good features. Find at least one thing you can admire in them and give them 100% encouragement for it. It will help you to like them. It will help them to like you. And what else could be better for starting – and continuing – a relationship?
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USEFUL VOCABULARY:
To take something for granted – brać coś za pewnik
To give somebody attention – poświęcać komuś uwagę
To require – wymagać, potrzebować
Thoughtful – pamiętający, troskliwy
To consider something as- uważać coś za
Everyday actions – codzienne czynności
To start on the right foot – dobrze coś zacząć
To behave towards others – zachowywać się wobec innych
A mindset – nastawienie
To take something into something – zastosować coś w czymś
To be interested in something – być czymś zainteresowanym
Eager – chętny
To get rid of something – pozbyć się czegoś
To be worth of something – być wartym czegoś
On a first-come, first-served basis – na zasadzie kto pierwszy, ten lepszy
To gobble up – pochłaniać, pożerać
A benefit – korzyść
To see the best in somebody – dostrzegać to, co w kimś najlepsze
To encourage – zachęcać
Let somebody know – dać komuś znać
A feature – cecha (np.charakteru)
To admire – podziwiać
Źródło: http://johnmaxwellonleadership.com
Opracowanie: Raisa Chudek
