By Diane Randall, MA, CHC
Diane Randall Consults
Relationships are how we interact, how we find ourselves and our value, and it’s worth the time and effort to be intentional about building strong relationships. Some interactions are healthy while, others may not be.
If you are seeking balance in your relationships, here are some key areas where you can approach balance in relationships:
1. Prioritize. Commit to investing your time intentionally. This may include setting healthy boundaries, for example share your communication preference (times and dates) with people whom you interact regularly.
2. Reconnect. Make time to rekindle personal relationships around what’s going on in your heart, verses what the chaos of the day has been. Professionally, touch-base with clients and colleagues to see how you can work with them to support their goals and milestones.
3. Open Up. Instead of allowing things to build up and fester, open up and talk about an issue when it happens. Think through the timing and circumstances of your conversations. If someone’s had a stressful day, they may react to something much differently than if their day were happy and normal.
4. Focus. Avoid multi-tasking when it’s time for conversation. Put down your electronic devices and be present in face-to-face communications. Give your full attention. If someone asks to get together and it doesn’t fit your schedule, suggest another time that will work for everyone.
5. Interact. When there’s a schedule conflict and something needs to be rearranged make time to discuss each individual’s priorities before rescheduling. You may find that what you thought was important to the other person isn’t as important and they will appreciate having the opportunity to tell you.
6. Persistence. Don’t give up. Stick with the healthy relationships that are serving you because they are worth it. Let go of relationships that are no longer working or meeting your needs. You won’t always see instant results, so give each situation enough time before tossing in the towel and moving on.
Lastly, if putting things in place to improve your relationship balance feels too big, start small to make them more achievable.
Diane Randall, MA, CHC, is a whole living consultant and owner of Diane Randall Consults and author of Jumpstart Your Life: Find Your Motivation and Change Your Life One Step at a Time. www.dianerandallconsults.com
