How to attract life-enhancing relationships

Yesterday I received the following email from Robyn in Dunedin, who asked me to share my thoughts on relationships.

“I’ve been following your writings and evolution (!) for a number of years now and never cease to find you inspirational and motivating. I have sent links to your newsletter and blogs to many people that I have worked with within the context of my various guises of HR professional, business coach and therapist. Now, I reckon, I would like to hear Cassandra on relationships. How about it? Isn’t this an area we haven’t’ heard from you on? I’d love to hear your thinking on this topic “

At first I didn’t know what to write. I’ve been so focused on talking about creativity, helping people with career and work issues, business and leadership coaching, and writing my historical romance in my spare time. But then it struck me. All these threads carry the same theme – developing and maintaining positive relationships.

Thank you Robyn for reminding me of this central theme that underpins everything I do. Hands up I don’t always get it right. But then show me a perfect person and I may just see a pig fly across the moon. At least I’m committing to trying. Isn’t that all anyone of us can do?

It’s clear that the quality of our relationships is very connected with our level of happiness.

Deep relationships are based on openness, truth and respect. That allows meaningful communication between two human beings, not of two humans playing roles. To create a truly satisfying relationship not only do you need to truly know thyself but also the deeper nature, values and traits of those you with whom you want to relate.

If you are both committed to relating deeply, instead of on superficial characteristics, true connection can flourish. If neither is committed to achieved shared common ground then there’s nothing to be gained.

All too often competition takes over, and no one takes the time to clarify their shared goals and visualize the win-win outcomes and benefits which inevitably flow.

re·la·tion·ship? What does it mean?

noun

1.a connection, association, or involvement.

2.connection between persons by blood or marriage.

3.an emotional or other connection between people: the relationship between teachers and students.

4.a sexual involvement; affair.

Of all the definitions above the two words that speak most loudly is emotional connection.

Let’s think about the emotions that may be involved. Positive ones like love, happiness or fulfillment or  negative one’s like anger, despair, fear

The need for change
I am powerfully reminded of the need for change by yesterday’s newspaper headlines (a brother and sister fearful their Mum and Dad will be released from prison and kill them),  a year of working in a culture with an enduring reputation for dysfunctional, highly conflict based relationships, and a world exploding with conflict.

Perhaps if we all made an intention to work towards constructive, not destructive,  relationships there would be more prosperity. Perhaps if there was a higher sense of community, and individuals who want positive change were given a bigger voice laws would be more supportive.

I’m thinking of New Zealand’s liberal alcohol laws which in my view erode life for so many. One only has to realise that approximately 75% of the prison population offended while drunk for compelling evidence. One only has to read the headlines to see the destruction.

I wonder, as Nelson Mandela once did, does evil flourish  because the world, and we who live upon it,  isn’t angry enough to do something about it? Or is it because we have allowed ourselves to be disempowered?

Is it only when the pain of remaining the same is greater than the pain of changing, growing, evolving  that humanity  will strive for excellence.

As one manager I am coaching confirmed, “I’ve put up with the abuse for so long but now I’m angry. Angry enough to push-back and say, “This is wrong.”

I’ll be thinking more on this important theme but in brief I believe positive, life-enhancing relationships involve:

1. Working on our own self-confidence and self-esteem. A positive self concept is the founding stone of healthy relationships. This often takes work and an ongoing commitment to self-improvement. Not easy when so much of societies messaging is negative. Not easy when people easily point out flaws but struggle to appreciate strengths.

Harder still when you work or live  in an environment that is poisonous. As much as possible surround yourself with positive people and stay away from cynics, critics and other forces of destruction. Don’t buy into others negative messaging. Instead actively solicit feedback from people who value who you are and what you do. If recent positive feedback is thin on the floor, delve into the past. You’ll be encouraged by what you find.

If you or someone you know could do with a boost my Boost Self Esteem Fast eBooks and/or The Big Con is packed with helpful tip to boost confidence and self-esteem. For deeper issues I highly recommend seeing a professionally trained counsellor – smart people don’t go it alone. They get help from the experts.

2. Intentionality. What kind of relationships do you want to attract? What do you value most? Least? How do you want your relationships to be? What supports this vision? What gets in the way?

You may already now how 4 years ago, after spending over 18 years raising my daughter as a single parent I created my “ideal man” on paper – jotting down the important qualities and traits I needed to feel emotionally richer not poorer from a relationship. We’ve been living together for 3 years now – changing and growing, ridding ourselves of baggage, and stocking up on new ways of being in the process.

Attracting this life-enhancing relationship began with my intention. I no longer wanted to be on my own. I no longer wanted short-term flings. I wanted something more. Something deeper.

Love isn’t always easy.  But when you have someone to share life with things are easier  – assuming you both want to be balloons – soaring upward supporting and cherishing each others dreams whilst committed to your own personal development, growth and change.

See how you can “create” your ideal partner by watching out this clip when I was a life coach for  Television New Zealand >>

3 Being prepared to change.

We can’t change others but we can create a climate for change. We can be the change we want to see. We can change what is working against us by making decisions and choices that are life-enhancing – this may be a change of attitude, changing the way re react. Or making a physical change by walking away from things, people, events, life-styles that don’t serve who we are and who we want to be. We can walk our talk and be a positive role model, inspiring others  to follow our lead.

Lately I’ve been thinking about the quality of my workplace relationships – particularly in the wake of inheriting a new “team leader,” as I work toward the completion of a fixed term contract. I can’t go into too much detail at the moment suffice to say that this person and the one they report to have a reputation for bullying, as does the wider culture. Creating my own intentionality for what I will stand for and what I won’t empowers me to make changes, including insuring those at the top of the organization commit to positive change.

For me part of this modeling in this toxic culture involves empowering others to feed-up to senior manager cases of bullying and harassment rather than silently put up with it. I’ve also taught people skills to deal with aggression assertively. In turn these are skills I model in my interactions with others. These are only a few of the strategies I’ve put in place. But an over-arching strategies has been to work with senior management on transformational cultural change to create a positive workplace where people have pride and can flourish.

4. Being real. Honest feedback constructively given, is critical if you are going to be free to be you and truly authentic. As is mastering the art of listening – not listening to respond, debate or justify but really listening to the feedback from others. In both cases it requires a willingness to partner in our relationships to work honestly, collaboratively, and healthily.

5. Giving up always having to always be right. Sometimes the hardest words are “I’m sorry” and/or “I was wrong.” Yet most times they are the most effective in resolving conflict. It doesn’t mean to deny the truth but acknowledging how someone might have unintentionally received your message or felt is effective.

Only yesterday I apologized to someone who completely floored me by saying to others he thought I was bullying him. What I realized is that my desire to help conflicted with the extreme stress he was suffering due to conflict with his manager and his need to reflect. We both apologized and now we are once again friends. But for 4 days I was so hurt I didn’t talk to him. See how a misunderstanding can easily escalate? Imagine if I never said “sorry first” or attacked him for taking things the wrong way.

6. Learning when to stand up and knowing when to walk away. Was it Kenny Rodgers who sung those lyrics? Anyway – some people are toxic to positive relationships. No matter what you do, no matter how much your change, no matter how many excuses, justifications or chances you give them, they’re on another path. Often one of destruction. Have the courage of your convictions, know what you deserve, have faith that everything is working out for your highest good and walk away. Mastering the skill of managing up. Trouble with your boss? Learn how to get on the same page here >>

7. Don’t shy away from conflict – recognize the positive aspects opposing forces can bring. In fictionalized drama – movies and novels conflict is the central element that drives the story forward and engages audiences as they root for their characters to overcome the odds and flourish in the wake of diversity. Dealing with conflict successfully often means leveraging off your talents, minimizing your flaws, and persevering. Yes folks, it means growth!

8. Be positive – If you’re struggling to get along with someone chances are you’re focusing on their negatives. In situations like these many people struggle to name anything positive about the person. Try harder – you’re not that perfect!

9. The big C – commitment. I’m reminded of this critical factor by a song by Sade playing on iTunes as I write.

“For heaven’s sake why are you walking away? Why do you play these games? It’s so easy to walk out. So if you want to get stronger you better not let go. Got to stick together hand in glove. Don’t fight. Don’t give up. You’ve got to hang onto you love.”

This love you are about to given up on may be the passion you have for a job you love – diminished perhaps by bullying, politics, lack of positive feedback or any one of a raft of passion killers.

Or it may be the love you once felt for a child who has hurt or disappointed you. Or the love you once felt for a partner.

Too many people only want the good times. That’s like saying I only want summer. Life is what it is. The sun can’t always be shining. Winter makes us appreciate the sun and like photography, we often need life’s negatives in order to develop. What matters is you know how to deal with life’s realities – for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, in the summer of early love or in the winter of discontent.

But what really matters is what was the quality of your love and was anyone a richer person because you lived.

Take time out to replenish

As a coach specialising in transformational change I’ve seen way too many positive relationships turn destructive due to excessive, unmitigated stress. One of the best cures I know is to take time out to replenish. Find out how here >>

Relationship quotes to focus and inspire

Here’s a few of my favourite relationship quotes I have drawn upon in my work as a leadership coach and in my personal life. Surrounding yourself with these brief positive reminders is a fantastic way to keep your thoughts, feelings and reminders focused on what you want and far, far away from those that are sabotaging to your success.

“We may not be able to stop all evil in the world, but I know that how we treat one another is entirely up to us.” ~ Barack Obama, 44th President of The United States of America

“Positive relationships take ongoing generosity.”

“Negative thoughts are like weeds – they flourish unattended. Positive thoughts are like flowers, they need to be nurtured everyday.” ~ His Holiness the Dalai Lama

“Transparency is a wonderful thing if you have nothing to hide.”

“I think genuine friendship between a father and a mother and making sure the children get maximum affection is very important.“ ~ His Holiness the Dalai Lama

“If you can’t love someone – don’t hurt them“

“Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.” ~John Wooden

“Always put yourself in others’ shoes. If you feel that it hurts you, it probably hurts the other person, too.“

“I can’t give you the recipe for success but I can failure – try to please everyone.”

And this one which is the theme for my current historical novel….”following your truth sets you free.“

Know what you want,  know what you need,  and don’t settle. Commit to the empowering words, thoughts and actions  that will help you to attract life-enhancing relationships that allow your soul and those you interact with to flourish.

I’d love to hear your thoughts:)