Will Our Most Important Relationships Be Stronger at the End of the Year?
As we enter the fourth quarter, the pressure to hit numbers, close deals, meet deadlines, and finish the year strong is real. Achieving results is an important priority for every leader.
However, too often, we treat the fourth quarter like an excuse to neglect our most important relationships, promising ourselves we'll reconnect when things slow down.
We all believe relationships matter. Yet when our schedules become overloaded, the most important people in our lives can end up receiving whatever time and energy we have left after everything else gets done.
This year let's make a commitment to end the year by improving our most important relationships.
MAKING A COMMITMENT TO BUILD STRONGER RELATIONSHIPS
Just as a business can slowly lose customers through neglect, we can gradually lose the trust and connection we once enjoyed with coworkers, customers, family members, and friends when we fail to make those relationships a priority.
Most of us don't need to be convinced that our relationships are important. We already know that. But knowing something is important and making a commitment to doing something about it are two different things.
A commitment is a decision we make in advance about what we're going to do, regardless of how we feel when it's time to act.
Think about the goals we've accomplished in our lives. How many would we have achieved if we only acted on the days, we felt like doing the work?
We know that achieving meaningful results requires commitment. We show up, follow through, and do what needs to be done, even when we're tired, busy, or don't feel like it. Why should achieving our relationship goals be any different?
Our feelings change from day to day. Our commitments give us a reason to keep doing what matters, even on the days we don't feel like doing it.
Without commitment, it's easy to put off that phone call, meaningful conversation, or opportunity to spend time together. We tell ourselves we'll do it tomorrow, next week, or when things finally slow down.
Strong relationships aren't built on good intentions. They're built on commitments we turn into positive actions.
Successful sales professionals may serve hundreds of customers, but they identify their most important accounts and make a special commitment to strengthening those relationships. Why not apply that same principle to our lives?
Think about the Top 10 Relationships you want to make stronger by the end of the year.
Include people from your workplace, family, and friends. Not necessarily the ten people you spend the most time with, but ten important relationships you want to strengthen.
Now imagine what could happen if, during the final months of 2026, you took just one positive action each day that would strengthen one of those relationships.
It doesn't have to be complicated, expensive, or time-consuming.
HERE ARE 10 POSITIVE ACTIONS THAT CAN STRENGTHEN YOUR RELATIONSHIPS:
Give someone your undivided attention. Put away your phone and make them your most important priority.
Discover something worth celebrating. Ask about their good news, accomplishments, or proud moments.
Recognize a strength you admire. Tell them something you think they do well and why you appreciate it.
Reconnect through a shared memory. Remind them of a meaningful experience you enjoyed together.
Ask what they're looking forward to. Show genuine interest in their goals, dreams, and plans.
Thank someone for making a difference. Let them know how something they said or did positively influence your life.
Make time to do something together. Share a meal, take a walk, or simply enjoy a conversation without distractions.
Offer help without being asked. Look for an opportunity to make something important in their life a little easier.
Repair a small disconnect. Apologize, clear up a misunderstanding, or restart a conversation you've been avoiding.
Help someone believe in what's possible. Encourage them to pursue something meaningful and offer your support.
These are just ten ideas to get you thinking. You can create other positive actions that will be even more meaningful to the people on your Top 10 list.
FINISH STRONG.
Imagine reaching December 31st knowing that, along with achieving important business and personal goals, we've also invested time and energy in the people who matter most to us.
Perhaps we've rebuilt a connection, helped someone overcome a challenge, or simply made someone feel more valued and appreciated. And perhaps those positive actions also improved the quality of our life.
Now that's an impressive way to finish strong!
Let's Get Better. Together!
Bill Durkin, Founder
One Positive Place
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