11 - Today’s RELATIONSHIPS Gives Me Fulfillment

The ninth of Maxwell’s Daily Dozen is Relationships. The first quote I read really grabbed my attention about relationships. It reads “All things being equal, the likable person wins. But all things not being equal, the likable person still wins.” I was thankful to hear this because I like to think of myself as a likable person, therefore will be good at keeping and maintaining relationships.

Maxwell continues on to point out four real truths about relationships:

1. Life’s greatest experiences involve other people.

2. You’ll enjoy life more if you like people.

3. You’ll get farther in life if people like you.

4. People are any organization’s most appreciable asset.

Maxwell then shares with us a quote from Dale Carnegie’s, How to Win Friends and Influence People. The book tells us “In order to make friends, one must be friendly.” This was a powerful quote to Maxwell and he based his outlook on relationships as, “I will initiate and make an investment in relationships with others.” Maxwell continues by saying that people just let things happen to them, but advises us to take control of things that happen and shares with us ways that we can do that:

1. Place a high value on people.

2. Learn to understand people.

3. Give respect freely but expect to earn it from others.

4. Commit yourself to adding value to others.

Maxwell then moves on the share with us the basic pointers to build strong relationships:

1. Put others first.

2. Don’t carry emotional baggage.

3. Give time to your most valuable relationships.

4. Serve others gladly.

5. Express love and appreciation often.

Maxwell closes with a quote that I believe we should all think about to help our relationships with others. “The best way to help people is to see the best in them.”