Quotes of the Week from Me:

“Offer yourself and others an equal baseline of respect. It’s up to you and them what unfolds next.”

“Remember people’s names. It matters more than you know.”

“Inflation of word or action doesn’t always mean inflation of impact.” (thought of this one after waking up from a dream at 2am)

Quotes of the Week from Others:

“Try to learn something about everything and everything about something.” – Thomas Huxley

“Communication works for those who work at it.” – John Powell

“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader.” – John Quincy Adams

Quick Optimism:

This probably goes for what we should ask ourselves as well.

“Do not ask your children
to strive for extraordinary lives.
Such striving may seem admirable,
but it is the way of foolishness.
Help them instead to find the wonder
and the marvel of an ordinary life.
Show them the joy of tasting
tomatoes, apples and pears.
Show them how to cry
when pets and people die.
Show them the infinite pleasure
in the touch of a hand.
And make the ordinary come alive for them.
The extraordinary will take care of itself.”

– William Martin

Question of the Week:

How do you maintain relationships?

It really is simple. But simple still takes effort. Simple takes discipline. Sometimes effort and discipline are harder to maintain than simple. Hence, commitments are forgotten, tasks go undone, and relationships fade.

So, how do you maintain relationships? It’s an easy thing to Google, as are most things these days. And you’ll find answers – identify needs, make time, listen, be honest, and create boundaries. But eventually, there may be too many needs to meet, less time in your schedule, and too many relationships to keep track of. Again, how do you maintain relationships?

A lot of thinkers – coaches, teachers, mentors, writers – tend to do too much. They use too many coaching phrases or critiques; that’s their job and it definitely makes it look like they are working hard. They are working hard in a way. They are providing the most information. The most coaching about how to do something. But for this week, let’s start with some easy tips that don’t require too much thinking or doing.

1. Remember people’s names. It’s likely the word they are most familiar with. It feels comfortable and familiar.
2. Spend quality time. Small bonding experiences: saying hello in the hallway. Big bonding experiences: having a colleague over for dinner.
3. Remember conversations. Bring up details you remember from the things people disclose to you. Remember where they are from, who their parents are. Remember their interests and what makes them excited. Remember what is going on in their life.

It’s a baseline of respect and effort. Maintain those, maintain relationships.