How to Transform Your Difficult Relationships this Year
Stories teach us empathy. They reveal to us ourselves in the skins of others. — Justin Simien
Last month during Christmas holidays one of my friends visited me for a day and we discussed about friends who took us for granted, family who barely tried to understand our sentiments and our beliefs, co-workers who are nothing but toxic etc.
Sometimes it doesn't matter how much you try, how much you try to improve to fit into other people’s expectations and do and try things only to think that no one shouldn’t feel offended or feel less loved and un-welcomed.
And between all those things, you forget to care for yourself, you push your feelings deep down and don’t utter a single word because you always want to be nice and do the right things always, no matter how it’s affecting your mental and emotional health.
I often hear from different people around me all the time about difficult relationships they’re facing and I also had my fair share of bitter experiences.
“At the end of the day, it would be wise to learn how to cooperate with others; so as not to put yourself first most of the time.”― Mwanandeke Kindembo
We’ve all been there, with someone who rubs us the wrong way, constantly misunderstands our intentions, or simply does inexplicable and annoying things.
It could be a coworker, business partner, or even a friend or relative or your own spouse. Even if it’s just one person in your life, a difficult relationship can cast a shadow over everything and make it harder to enjoy your other aspects of life.
I have been there where I contently overanalyzed things or just running different scenarios in my head like why I said that, I could have said something else, what will they think just to mention a few. Ultimately exhausting myself physically and mentally.
In order to advance — personally and professionally — it’s essential to figure out how to deal with the challenge, and hopefully improve your connection.
If Loving Was Easy, Everyone Would Be Loving It ― Syed Sharukh
Let’s reset our own attitude first
As per Bob Burg- “If you can’t control your emotions, you’re not in a position to be part of the solution. You’re part of the problem.”
It’s not easy to admits that wasn’t always easy . But keep in mind that no one can make you feel a certain way. They can’t make you angry or sad, but they can push buttons in which you then make yourself feel that way.
Only when we’re aware of it are we in position to do something about it.
“Life shouldn’t be about survival alone but about living” ― Sunday Adelaja
Beliefs are subjective truths
Our belief systems, the lens through which we see the world, are not something we chose, but are handed to us from the time we were born. They’re a combination of our upbringing, popular culture, the news media, popular mores.
We’re basically run by an operating system that we don’t even know we’re run by.
“The point is always to heal and encourage as many people as we can.”― Mitta Xinindlu
Communicating with tact and empathy
In a challenging encounter, it’s easy for others to misinterpret your intentions. Even the slightest whiff of criticism can turn someone hostile.
But learning to speak tactfully means you can give feedback honestly and truly engage. “We need to communicate in a way so that the person won’t be defensive and resistant, but will be open to and accepting of us,”
“When we communicate in this way, we help them feel genuinely good about themselves and us.”
Meanwhile when you utilize these principles, your life will be a lot more fun and a lot less stressful and more profitable, both personally and in business.
You know you’ve got the ability to have people work with you and not against you…expecting another person to be helpful, friendly, and benevolent changes you — and that changes them.
I hope these might help you change the dynamic to ensure you’re able to feel comfortable, valued, and respected — and to do the same for others.
Let’s be kind to each other, listen more and give more joy to the world and to the people around us.
Be Bold
Be Courageous
Be Your Best
Lesson Learned In Year 2021
There is no path to happiness; happiness is the path. —Buddha
medium.com
Did you know?
You can join Medium to read all my articles, here.
Maybe consider being a Medium subscriber?
Subscribe to my weekly (free) newsletter about health, personal development and well-being here https://drthefit.substack.com/
Check out my Medium Publication — JUST BE YOU to get free articles via email whenever I publish them.