July 18, 2006

The Balance Beam eXperience

RelationshipGardens

“Personal relationships are the fertile soil from which all advancement, all success, all achievement in real life grows.” (Ben Stein) What is a relationship? It is the connection between two or more people or groups and their involvement with each other.

Successful relationships don’t just happen. Just as you tend a garden you must tend your relationships. Give them the opportunity to flourish. When you do, your life achievements will blossom. There are several ways to insure a plentiful crop from your relationship garden.

1. Be interested in others, not just interested in yourself. Be inquisitive. Get your ego out of the way and focus on the other person. Ask questions to get to know them and let them speak without getting in the way.

2. Practice active listening. Discard the distractions and pay attention. Get up close and listen. People want to feel listened to, not just heard.

3. Become aware of people’s nuances. Be observant. Watch their body language, facial expressions, eye movements, and their emotions.

4. Spend time on your relationships and nurture them. Take the time to weed and water your garden for it will die if it is not tended to on a regular basis.

5. Be there for the other person. Your presence is a gift.

6. Give of yourself. Ask “How can I support this relationship?”

7. Cherish your friendships. Do not take them for granted.

8. Be authentic with one another. Be honest and share your feelings.

9. Give each person in the relationship the permission to be themselves. Do not try to change anyone; accept them for who they are.

10. Embrace your personal and professional growth as your garden flourishes.

How well do you connect with others – your family, friends, employees, co-workers, patients, and colleagues? How fertile is the soil your relationships are grounded in?

Showcase

“We talk about the quality of product and service. What about the quality of our relationships and the quality of our communications and the quality of our promises to each other?

Max de Pree

“Treasure your relationships, not your possessions.”

Anthony J D’Angelo

“Some of the biggest challenges in relationships come from the fact that most people enter a relationship in order to get something: they're trying to find someone who's going to make them feel good. In reality, the only way a relationship will last is if you see your relationship as a place that you go to give, and not a place that you go to take."

Anthony Robbins

“The quality of your life is the quality of your relationships.”

Anthony Robbins

Personal Reflections

I was inChicagothis past week at the annual meeting of the American Association of Women Dentists. It was a relationship meeting – an opportunity to connect with old friends and an occasion to meet new ones. It was a time to be with colleagues and their guests to learn, party, share, laugh, and relax. Time to nurture our gardens until the next time we meet. Our lives are enriched because of the relationships we have formed.

I’m always amazed when I am inChicagoat the people there. Michigan Avenueis a sea of pedestrian traffic and a great place to people watch. I wonder who these people are and what their stories say. Do they take time out of the hustle and bustle to nurture their relationships? Do you?

Have a fantastic week and cultivate your relationship garden.

Stephanie www.7steps2abalancedlife.com

drszh@7steps2abalancedlife.com

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