Are you on the road to 10xing the relationships you have in your life?  Are you investing time and energy in building strong and healthy relationships with family, friends and colleagues? 

Strong healthy relationships are important both personally as well as professionally for many reasons.  In our personal lives, strong relationships can provide emotional support and give us a sense of belonging.  Relationships in our professional lives can be equally as important. 

They lead to increased satisfaction, productivity and fulfillment.  Simply said, whether it’s personal or professional, maximizing the strength of your relationships is essential to your happiness and success.

Before getting into the three tips for 10xing your relationships, I want to give recognition to my sonny boy and others who are no longer with us.  Relationships are priceless.  Mine with my son was like gold.  It’s relationships that give our lives meaning and purpose.

Let’s get into the tips that I’d like to share with you for taking the relationships in your life to the next level: Being Flexible, Being Present, and Communication.

Be Flexible 

Flexibility in a relationship is important because it allows the people involved to adapt to change, communicate effectively and compromise with regard to expectations and behavior when there are differences. This helps to prevent conflicts and misunderstandings.  Being flexible shows that a person is willing to prioritize the relationship.

While flexibility in a relationship is essential, respecting boundaries is equally important.  Boundaries are physical and emotional limits that we set for others who come into our life.  They establish what is and isn’t acceptable in order to protect our well being.  Boundaries help people in a relationships understand each other’s needs, desires, and limitations.  By setting and respecting boundaries, a stronger foundation for a healthy, fulfilling, and long-lasting relationship can be formed.

Be Present 

Being present in a relationship means being fully engaged and attentive in the moment.    When you’re fully present, you are actively listening, showing interest and expressing genuine emotions and feelings for the other person.  This instills a sense of trust that helps to deepen the relationship and strengthen the relationship bond.  Being present reduces misunderstanding and miscommunications.  It shows the other person that they are valued, respected and are a priority.   

When it comes to personal relationships, physical touch can be a sign of being present.  A physical touch, rub or caress is a way of showing them that you are fully aware and in the moment.  Making eye contact is also an important way of showing someone that you are fully present.

In a relationship, it’s important to do activities together that will show the other person they are valued enough that you make them a priority and are present with them.  Some examples of activities that promote this are exercising together, taking nature walks, cooking together, etc.  The key to being fully present in these activities is to set aside distractions and give your undivided attention to the person you are with.  Whether it’s a mate or a close friend, people want to feel that they are a priority in your life, not just a convenience.  

Communication 

Communication is key.  It is the foundation of how people connect, understand each other and resolve issues.  There are two important components in effective communication: 1) Expressing yourself clearly and 2) Actively listening.  By communicating openly, honestly and respectfully, you build trust and respect in a relationship.  Good communication can also help to prevent misunderstandings and conflicts. Without communication, relationships can become strained and broken.

Some things I have started doing to be better at communicating is repeating myself and then saying, “Do you understand?” or “Do you understand the assignment?” or “Do you have any questions?”  I make sure that I am very clear and specific with what I want.  Make an effort to actively listen, express yourself clearly, and resolve conflicts constructively with the person involved.   If I feel a certain sort of way or uncomfortable way about a situation, I will bring it up quickly and not dwell on it.  

When it comes to 10xing the relationships in my life, my goto book for inspiration is “The Four Agreements” by Don Miguel Ruiz.  When it comes to relationships, my favorite of the four agreements is: “Don’t take anything personally.”  Nothing others do is because of you.  What others  say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream.  When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others you won’t be the victim of needless suffering.  By not taking things personally, you are able to be more emotionally stable and respond to situations with clarity and understanding.  

Let me leave you with this:  When it comes to 10xing your relationships, focus on building those relationships that are full of positive energy and shared values and goals.  Your vibe is your tribe.