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3 Keys to Thriving Relationships
68
Column: Motivation
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Spring/Summer 2022
Utah
3 Keys to Thriving Relationships
Spring cleaning isn’t just for your home. Here’s how you can refresh your relationships for healthier, more intentional living. BY TIFFANY PETERSON
It’s spring—the season of the new! With new beginnings, fresh starts, and nature blooming again after a hard winter, spring brings a unique energy of “coming alive” that can’t be replicated during other times of the year.
One of my deepest passions is helping others to create a thriving life and a business they love with a sense of intention. And for all of us, a central, core influence to creating that thriving life is the quality and richness, depth and connection of relationships.
a tHriving liFe HaS tHriving relationSHipS
Relationships are at the heart of everything we do, and with the right tools, you can intentionally invest in thriving relationships with conscious choices that can directly influence the quality of relationships you desire.
Whether you’re wanting richer, deeper connections with family and friends or you’re wanting to see your customers and sales grow, the principles I’ll share here will help you thrive in your personal and professional life. Let’s look at three key strategies to nourish your relationships this season:
1. Freely show appreciation. Everyone wants to be seen, appreciated, and valued. And while people may not verbalize that desire, this is directly affecting the “thrive” (or, if “thrive” is lacking, the struggle) in your relationships.
Relationships are always personal, and how people feel with us is our ultimate impact, influence, and “business card.” Ask yourself, “Do the people in my life feel important when they’re with me? Do they feel seen? Significant? Appreciated?” If you’re unsure, or if you’re looking for ways to create more fulfilling relationships, know that small but thoughtful gestures go a long way. Taking time to write or verbally express your gratitude and appreciation has an immense power to help nourish and grow your relationships.
Pro Tip: Start your “nourishing” with those who’ve been in your life for quite some time. No one outgrows the need to feel appreciated, and old relationships are well fed with appreciation and recognition.
2. Listen more and talk less. While this line is often applied to sales, it’s a life and relationship mindset that will help you have more success in all of your relationships.
Early in my professional career path, I had the opportunity to work with the great Stephen Covey on his worldrenowned book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. One of the key habits is known as “Seek First to Understand Before You’re Understood,” and it was the most requested principle to be revisited during trainings. It is a literal game changer in relationships, connection, conflict resolution, friendship, trust, and sales.
Dr. Covey explained this idea very simply: most people listen with an intent to reply instead of to understand. Usually in conversations, we might be sort of listening. We nod our heads, maybe even make eye contact, but are we really listening? Are we seeking to understand? Are we asking more questions to understand someone’s heart or their challenges at work?
Whether you want to help your children or your team at work move forward and make progress, that comes from understanding their needs and challenges and asking more questions to deepen the relationship. Feeling heard and understood is vital for closeness, connection, and trust. It’s like oxygen for the relationship. While we won’t always agree with one another, if we seek to understand rather than shame or judge, we open space for our relationships to connect and thrive. Practice asking more questions at home and at work. Show up with the intention to understand and create that safe space and watch your relationships grow.
3. Tap into the power of play. Play is a powerful opportunity for creating and nourishing connection in your relationships. Often when I’m coaching a couple or someone in an intimate relationship, I invite them to commit to playing together on a regular basis. It’s fresh air, new life, and a chance to liberate the connection.
Sometimes at home or work, we can get bogged down in the familiar. To break out of that rut, put some play into your time together. Book that staycation or plan a fun date. Take the team Sometimes at home or work, we can get bogged down in the familiar. To break out of that rut, put some play into your time together.
out to lunch or to get pedicures together. Mix it up!
A thriving life has thriving relationships. By investing in others with intention, our own lives and relationships will thrive. Have a happy spring, my friends—and even happier relationships!
Spring/Summer 2022
69
Utah
