Making Friends And Building Relationships

These points are key, in building relationships. I was a talker while growing up.  Shy did not even exist with my personality. What I did find out though, is to listen more when you are communicating with friends, leads, family, and whoever else you are building relationships with. If we are willing and able to listen to others, we will find it much appreciated by whoever we may be talking with. Some people are not aware of how much they are controlling the conversation. I think if you want to always talk about yourself, you can go to a psychologist and buy a few sessions with them.

Try to avoid that high school gossip too. Obviously this does not always pertain when talking to leads from your business, but any of your friends or family members, my opinion, do not want to always hear you talking bad about others or running others into the ground. The people you are talking to will start picturing you differently. Look…. I’m not telling you how to communicate with people, but what I am doing is giving you tips on things that I have learned along the way.

Another tip is if you think a friend has a bad idea or something you do not think will work, don’t always argue with them about it. just keep silent and let them work things out for themselves. Another reason not to do this is because you could feel responsible for their actions. You can offer support to friends, but you can’t create the rest of their lives for them. Your opinion is okay to give, but I would try to avoid a lot of conflict in any topic that comes up. Arguing is one thing, but trying to knock down someones idea or dream, could change the whole way that person thinks, and lives. People are looking for answers, and you might give them the feedback the needed to give up on their journey.

Don’t take yourself so serious.  Laugh more at yourself and be self-deprecating. This does not mean we have to embarrass ourselves, it just means we can get rid of our ego for a little while and open up more, smile and laugh. Humor is often the best ingredient for relieving stress or any type of uncomfortable, awkward, or stressful situation. Don’t you find when you are having fun and laughing, that everything is okay?  I know I do, and you will find me smiling and laughing a lot as I go through my life, because that is something I love to have as a part of my personality. I’m not saying I cannot be serious, but I know having fun is a part of being successful.

Learn how to forgive people. This is a big one in my eyes. I do not mean forgive every little thing people do wrong, because that will make them think they can get away with anything. I mean, sincerely think about if you are going to forgive them, and try to do it quicker than usual. If you are going to do it anyways, why make them suffer for a long time? it’s a powerful and important factor in maintaining healthy relationships. However, real forgiveness also means that we are willing to forget the experience. If we forgive one day, but then a few weeks later bring up that thing they did wrong, because this means you did not really forgive them. When we make mistakes, just consider how much we would appreciate others to forgive and completely forget after they forgive. That is important.. the forgetting.

Ray MacDonald

Making Friends And Building Relationships