3 A's

As Tony Robbins once said, “The quality of your life is in direct proportion to the quality of your relationships.” Okay, great. But how do we ensure our relationships are adding value to our lives instead of detracting value? What can we do to enhance our relationships? None of us major in “relationships” in college, and yet they are essential to living a meaningful life. Recently, while reflecting on my friendships, I came up with the “3 A’s” for cultivating better relationships. Here’s how it works.
 
Step 1: Appreciate
 
If we are fortunate enough to be in a relationship (father, daughter, friend, boss, colleague, etc.), we should truly consider ourselves fortunate. Let’s start with gratitude for the people in our lives.
 
Step 2: Acceptance
 
Next comes acceptance. As I mentioned earlier, we are all imperfect. That means that the person in our life that we are upset with is also imperfect. Let’s remember to accept our relationships for what they are and understand that, just like us, they too are imperfect.
 
Step 3: Ask 2X
 
Once we have come from a place of appreciation and acceptance, then comes the opportunity to actually enhance the relationship. By the way, if you don’t appreciate the relationship, perhaps it’s time to reflect on whether you want to be in that relationship in the first place.
 
The “ask” is a two-part action plan.
 
First, we need to ask others what they need from us: How can we support them? What are their expectations in our relationship?
 
Then, we need to ask ourselves what we need from them. What are our expectations? How can they help and support us? 
 
So, now it’s your turn. Try it out. Approach a relationship with appreciation and acceptance and then make your asks.