Thinking Differently

So often in life, what we know to be true can only take us so far. Many times, if we are to go to that next level we are seeking, we have to start thinking differently.

The old saying that sums this up goes something like - What got you to where you are won't get you to where you are looking to go.

I bring this up this week because over the past week, I've observed something interesting - I've noticed a huge strain on relationships - personal, professional, etc. Over the past week I've listened to people tell their story of the ending of a marriage, several business partnerships, a strategic partnership, etc.

I know this much, ending a relationship can be difficult, regardless of whether it is personal or professional. That's because the people involved have invested time, energy, emotion, and effort into one another.

So often though, people stay in relationships that they have either outgrown or are worse, harmful to them.

My question to you this week is this - examine your relationships - both personal and professional. What's working and what's not? Which relationships need time and attention and which relationships need to be ended. What's your plan of action to move forward?

In business, look at your sales relationships, client relationships, relationships with people you network with, relationships with your co-workers/employees.

In your personal life, look at your relationships with all the people who make an impact on your life - family, spouse, children, parents, etc. And all the people who you make an impact on - friends, etc.

Strong relationships are important not only because of what they bring, but also because of what they prevent. Poor relationships cause many forms of stress. How productive are you at work when you are dealing with a stressful relationship? I'll guess that the answer is not very productive.

Confront and resolve those stressful relationships as soon as possible. In a difficult business environment you need all your focus on being productive, not fretting over a relationship.

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