To be successful in life requires that you have successful relationships both personally and professionally.
Your overall success is directly linked to how well you are able to navigate the maze of the various relationships you’ll encounter.
It would seem that all relationships require a certain kind of care to make them successful. This could feel very overwhelming and at times downright stressful.
Could this be the reason most people can’t be bothered and just settle for what they have and do the best they can to make it work?
However, they know that this is not helpful if being successful in life is their goal. Something needs to be done.
I know that we could get bogged down in the quagmire of debating what success means. This is not the purpose of this post, so suffice it to say, success means living a life where you are fulfilled and happy; where you’re fully satisfied.
My contention is that if you don’t have successful relationships – the ones that matter to you – you’ll never have a successful life. I base this upon the fact that we were created for relationships, without which we cease to exist.
Here are the 3 secret habits which can also be found in AUDIO format:
1. The Habit of Listening
This habit is one of the most critical if not the most, when it comes to experiencing successful relationships.
Most conflicts that are experienced within relationships whether it is personal of professional, can be stemmed to ineffective listening.
To listen effectively is to send the message to the other person that their thoughts and input matters. It is a respectful act on the part of the listener.
To become a better listener requires patience and intentionality. It is hard work, which is one of the reasons most people fail in this department. They don’t want to put in the work it takes to make it happen.
2. The Habit of Pivoting
This habit requires one of the traits that some people find very hard to do – humility.
To pivot means that you are changing directions.
I know first hand what this is like.
As a podcaster who have been podcasting for almost 3 years as of this post, have had to do this very thing.
My first podcast was good but there was something missing – authenticity. I wasn’t feeling as if I was fully being myself.
After over 40 shows in, I decided it was time to change course. This was not easy. I spoke to a number of people to see what their thoughts were. I didn’t find many answers that gave me a guarantee that it would be okay.
I guess no one really could offer me that hope.
After much prayer and agonizing over the decision, I pulled the trigger and did it.
One of my greatest fears was “what would my audience think” and “how would other podcasters look upon my decision.”
Would they see it as failure?
After struggling through some of these questions, I humbled myself and explained to my audience and close friends my why.
No one to this day has ever directly complained or judged me for what I did.
I can tell you one thing, it was freeing.
I have since then done it two other times and life goes on. My reasons were personal and professional growth.
This habit is very necessary for continuation of climbing the success ladder.
3. The Habit of Empathy
Empathy seem to be the new buzz word among many marketers. It’s as if many of them have had an aha moment where putting yourself in the shoe of your customer, is the silver bullet of marketing.
Unfortunately, people can tell when they are being played.
If the reason for being empathetic is simply to get ahead in life or for other self-centered focus, it will be a short-lived phenomenon.
The habit of empathy requires a genuine desire to feel what the other person is feeling. It is impossible to actually do so even when you have not gone through something similar to the person with whom you’re being empathetic.
However, using your imagination, you can accomplish what it takes for there to be a trusting relationship.
As a coach, I find that my clients are more willing to work with me and trust me with their issues when I have experienced some of what it is they are struggling with. They get to know, like and trust me as a result.
This habit is very powerful when it comes to having successful relationships. It can be learned and with practice and genuine compassion, you will be well on your way to experiencing successful personal and professional relationships.
To summarize, your success hinges upon your ability to master the habit of effective listening, the habit of pivoting and the habit of empathy. The good news is that these three secrets will no longer be secrets because you now know them. The key is to do them.
Would you take a few minutes and let me know your thoughts on this article in the comment box below? Thanks.
