The relationships that you have with those around you – whether they’re friends, family members, or romantic partners – are what make life worth living. However, it’s often easy to take these relationships for granted and to forget how important they are in your life. If you want to improve your relationships with the people you love, just follow these six easy tips.
1) Listen
Pay attention to the other person. It helps if you are actually listening when they speak. Be mindful of your body language, and try not to roll your eyes or shake your head while they are talking. Don't interrupt them while they are talking, even if you know what they are going to say. Be respectful and kind. Show interest in the other person's interests by asking questions about their day, work, family, hobbies, etc. When you have a disagreement with someone, focus on solving the problem instead of trying to be right about it.
2) Show Appreciation
One of the first things that you can do to improve our relationships is by showing appreciation. This doesn't just mean saying thanks or giving a compliment, but actually thinking about what the other person has done for you and acknowledging it. It could be as simple as making their favourite food for dinner, or researching Ecotech windows & doors if they want simple home adjustments and don’t have the time to do the research themselves. These small gestures can go a long way in strengthening your connections with others.
3) Give Space
Relationships are not easy. They take effort and care, but when you can find the right balance of give and take, the rewards are well worth it. You want your relationships to be successful, so you put in the work. But sometimes that work is a lot harder than it needs to be because we're forgetting about a simple thing: boundaries. Establishing boundaries in relationships can help strengthen them. Whether that’s taking time to be on your own or taking time away from your family to spend time with your partner.
4) Do Something Nice For Them
If you're looking for a way to show someone that you care, try doing something nice for them. A small gesture can make a big difference in their day and it will help you feel closer to them. It's not hard to find ways to do something nice for the people you care about. For example, if your boyfriend is stressed from work, give him an hour of your time by listening and giving him advice. Or, if your friend just moved into a new apartment, pick up their mail and take out their trash for them. The best part is that it doesn't cost anything and it's easy.
5) Talk About It
Let go of the past and focus on the future. On one hand, you can't change what has already happened and on the other hand, there is no point in clinging onto old memories that are bringing you down or making you feel resentful. Remember that relationships are about give-and-take; don't expect someone to be just like you or want all the same things as you do when it comes to life goals, hobbies, etc. Make time for each other and set aside some quality time together every day--even if it's only five minutes a day--to talk and connect with one another.
6) Complain Thoughtfully
Everyone has relationships that need work, and it can be a tricky thing when you are not sure where to start. If something is bothering you about another person, try asking them about their perspective instead of just assuming they know what the problem is and why it bothers you. Sometimes people don't realise what they're doing wrong unless someone points it out first. So complain thoughtfully, maybe you won’t need to complain at all.
Craig Lebrau is the CMO of Media Insider, a Wyoming-based PR company that aims to disrupt the way companies communicate their brand in the digital era.