There’s an old saying that says birds of a feather flock together.
A key component to gaining success is your associations and friendships. In this particular blog post, I want to talk about how to get to your goals by utilizing but not abusing your friendships and associations.
First and foremost you must honor your relationships. Acknowledge where you stand in the relationships you are fostering, which I talk about in “Levels of Relationships,” this helps you to know what you can ask of those around you.
Honoring your relationships first will help to make sure you are not pressuring your friend or colleague into something they may be uncomfortable with doing. By truly developing a real relationship with those around you, you can gauge if and when a request is appropriate.
Just know some people are not comfortable in mixing friendship and business regardless of how strong the relationship you have with them.
So what are the ways you can utilize but not abuse your friendship and relationship or associations?
Three Key Components you can do to ensure you won’t abuse your friendships and associations,
Here They Go:
1. Be of Service
Let your friends or associations know you are there to help. Being of service is a great way of showing someone that you care because if you don’t want a relationship with that person, honestly, why are you there?
Being of service is the first step because you’re letting the person know that “Hey, I’m here for you.”
2. Be Genuine
No one wants to be around a phony. To be honest, when I find out somebody’s being fake with me or just trying to cozy up to get something from me, it is a big turn off. Put it in your to do list to be genuine with other people.
Practice telling the truth. I know sometimes it can be hard because most of us feel or fear if we tell the person the honest truth maybe somehow they won’t like us as much. However, I have learned it is best you tell the truth.
You could say something like this: “You know what I’m going to be honest here I was hoping that maybe our friendship would grow so we could go into business together,” or “I was really hoping by me doing ‘x,y,z’ you would do ‘a,b,c’ in return.”
You gain trust by being trustworthy so if someone finds out that you’re just a big fat liar they’re most likely not going to want to do business with you or anything else with you.
So your best bet is to be genuine.
3. Don’t look or expect anything in return
When you do something for someone else don’t expect anything in return. While you’re developing a friendship or association it’s best if you don’t expect anything back.
Not expecting anything will help you to not become bitter or resentful if someone doesn’t do something back in return. I know this can be hard.
A lot of people will do something expecting someone to do something for them.
This goes back to number two and number one, if you doing something just to get something in return, to me, you’re not being genuine and you’re not honoring your relationship.
In other words, do things for others because you want to not because you want something from them.
Bonus Component:
Above all else be Yourself
The moment you are genuinely yourself, people who are like minded and like who you are will be attracted to you and organically join in your life.
Once you do this, you’re allowing God (and the universe) to give you what you need and want in your life.
For instance, I was totally myself when I dating my husband. I showed him the good, the bad and definitely the UGLY side of me. He didn’t leave or give up on me. He hung in there, baby. I realized being myself allowed me to attract such a great guy; and maybe continuing being myself I’ll attract more great people like him in the world.
Just a recap: Honor your relationships. Be genuine. Be of service without expecting anything.
Amanda
P.S. Don’t forget to share. Thank you for visiting and reading. TTFN