{"id":3073,"date":"2015-01-14T10:01:38","date_gmt":"2015-01-14T06:01:38","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/englishbookgeorgia.com\/blogebg\/?p=3073"},"modified":"2015-04-21T10:30:51","modified_gmt":"2015-04-21T06:30:51","slug":"25-tips-for-having-meaningful-relationships","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/englishbookgeorgia.com\/blogebg\/25-tips-for-having-meaningful-relationships\/","title":{"rendered":"25 Tips for Having Meaningful Relationships"},"content":{"rendered":"

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While technology has made it more convenient to keep in touch with the outside world, and even become re-acquainted with long-lost friends, it has also changed how we define relationships. Someone with 1,000 Facebook friends may think they\u2019re a rock star. But, how many of those \u201cfriends\u201d would be there to support them when they start a business or go through a personal crisis?<\/p>\n

The more successful you are at relationships with your family, friends and customers; the more successful you will be in life with all of them.<\/p>\n

Because of the hustle and bustle of the 21st century, it\u2019s even more important than ever to have these meaningful types of relationships. Want to know how to achieve that? Follow these 25 tips.<\/p>\n

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1. Be happy with yourself. <\/strong><\/p>\n

You may have heard this one before, and there is a reason for that – it remains the best place to start. As Michelle Maros so elegantly puts it in, Peaceful Mind Peaceful Life, \u201cYour relationships outside will flounder if you don\u2019t have unconditional love and compassion for yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n

2. Learn to listen and understand. <\/strong><\/p>\n

Throughout your life you\u2019ve probably dealt with this problem. Your parents never listened. Your spouse never listens. Your boss just doesn\u2019t understand, or listen. George P.H. notes in, Pick The Brain, that we can connect with people simply by listening to them, hearing them out without interruption, and doing our best to understand where they\u2019re coming from.<\/p>\n

3. Take the punch. <\/strong><\/p>\n

You can\u2019t always take things personally. We all have bad days where we freak out, vent, or scream at those around us. My wife Kristy Rampton always tells me \u201cThere are few things in life less selfless than taking a punch every now and then from people who are having a bad day. Sometimes people just need to vent.\u201d Get amnesia concerning the outbursts of others.<\/p>\n

4. Follow-up. <\/strong><\/p>\n

If you feel like you\u2019ve hit it off with someone, professionally or personally, don\u2019t wait for them to get in touch with you. If you believe that there\u2019s potential for a new relationship, then make sure that you follow-up. Keith Ferrazzi, author of \u201cNever Eat Alone,\u201d suggests that you should follow-up within 48 hours of the first meeting.<\/p>\n

5. Be positive. <\/strong><\/p>\n

Here\u2019s a quick question. Would you rather spend time with someone who is a downer or someone who is upbeat? Barbara Fredrickson, a psychologist at the University of North Carolina, backs up the obvious by stating, in Psychology Today, that positive emotions help us “broaden and build” relationships.<\/p>\n

6. Grab lunch. <\/strong><\/p>\n

We\u2019re all busy, but are you too busy to stop and eat? Probably not. Relationship expert Nate Bagley from Loveumentary believes that you should “make the time” to schedule a lunch with friend, acquaintance or family member. This action will yield great benefits.<\/p>\n

7. Don\u2019t be someone else. <\/strong><\/p>\n

Adrian Savage wrote in, LifeHack: \u201cIf you can\u2019t trust yourself, why should others trust you?\u201d<\/p>\n

8. Take inventory of the relationships you have. <\/strong><\/p>\n

Some relationships are meant to be last for a long time. Other relationships may just linger because it\u2019s familiar and feels safe. Take an inventory of the relationships and see which ones you would like to hang onto and the ones you can let go. Letting go of unnecessary relationships opens up the opportunity to let new relationships into your life.<\/p>\n

9. Pick up the phone. <\/strong><\/p>\n

Texts, email and Facebook comments are great every now and then, but there\u2019s nothing like having an actual conversation with someone. Don\u2019t hesitate to pick-up the phone and give your friend or peer a call to check-in and see how they\u2019re doing. It is a good idea to be respectful of the other person’s time. The actual conversation does not have to be lengthy. Take the time to pick up the phone or Skype chat that friend. It’ll go a long ways to maintaining and fostering strong relationships.<\/p>\n

10. Find common interests. <\/strong><\/p>\n

It could be the same sports team, band, movie, job or extreme sport. No matter how big or small, finding a common interest is one of the best ways to establish a meaningful relationship.<\/p>\n

11. Pay it forward. <\/strong><\/p>\n

You should want to give others something because you want to. Not because you have to. If you know someone who happens to be a great web-designer and you have another acquaintance who is need of a designer, then why not introduce them to each other? Did you run across an unusual shot glass that would fit in your friend’s collection? Could you quickly purchase it?<\/p>\n

12. Don\u2019t wait to be asked for help. <\/strong><\/p>\n

If you know that a colleague, friend or family member needs some sort of help, then jump in and offer your assistance before they ask. For example, if you know that they\u2019re moving and you have the time, you can offer to help, even if your body will hate it the next day.<\/p>\n

13. Learn to trust others.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Even if you were hurt by someone in the past, either professionally or personally, you have to learn to trust again. As George P.H. so bluntly puts it \u201cALL relationships \u2013 family, business, platonic \u2013 require trust.\u201d<\/p>\n

14. Be clear on what you want. <\/strong><\/p>\n

None of us like feeling disappointed. But, did you ever stop and think that maybe you didn’t get your needs filled because you didn\u2019t specify what you really wanted? Even if it seems uncomfortable, always be honest in what you want or need.<\/p>\n

15. Understand what\u2019s really being asked. <\/strong><\/p>\n

Here\u2019s another piece of advice from Steve Boyer. He suggests that \u201cpeople will always ask different questions than the one they really want to be answered.\u201d For example, an \u201cemployees typically ask how to be more successful when all they really want is to get a raise or promotion.\u201d In other words, there a larger question waiting to be answered behind that initial question.<\/p>\n

16. Respond quickly. <\/strong><\/p>\n

While you don\u2019t have access to your phone or computer 24\/7, there\u2019s a good probability that you will at some point sooner than later. If someone emails or texts you a question or inquiry, respond to them ASAP. Wouldn\u2019t you rather be known as the speedy responder than the person who never gets back?<\/p>\n

17. Set calendar reminders. <\/strong><\/p>\n

We\u2019re all busy bees, so it\u2019s easy to lose contact with friends, colleagues, family members and acquaintances. To avoid a problem, use a set-up calendar reminder so that you can schedule a time to touch base with the people in life.<\/p>\n

18. Identify and avoid interpersonal pitfalls. <\/strong><\/p>\n

There are plenty of qualities that can be detrimental to a relationship. The Counseling Center at the University of Texas lists the following:<\/p>\n