“You become like the 5 people you spend the most time with, choose carefully.”
Author Unknown
“You cannot change the people around you. But you can change the people that you choose to be around.”
Author Unknown
Having great relationships and connections are essential for the health and well-being of your life. The key to great relationships is the opportunity to connect. When you connect with people it may be for a variety of reasons.
According to the Mayo Clinic social connections are vital.
“Friendships can have a major impact on your health and well-being, but it's not always easy to develop or maintain friendships. Understand the importance of social connection in your life and what you can do to develop and nurture lasting friendships.”
No man or woman is an island. You do not have to go at life alone. Whether you are considered an introvert or extrovert everyone needs someone to care and love them unconditionally. In return you have been designed to give love and care. This is all part of connecting with others. The right connections are people that support your dreams, people that are considered an asset and not a liability and, people that will walk with you through moments of difficulty.
The Right Connections:
1. Support Your Dreams – You need two to three connections that support your wildest dream. They are there to cheer you on and to encourage you to stay with it when it gets hard and when you want to quit. They are not envious or jealous of you but want what is best for you and they believe in you. They are like-minded -- pursuing goals and dreams just as you are. These are people that you have lunch with and have stimulating discussions with when you’re thinking of starting your business, or becoming the next CEO of your company. These people will hold you accountable to achieve your dream. They are vested in you and your success. Most of all they are not envious or jealous of you. They are your cheerleader, cheering you on to greater heights.
2. An Asset not a Liability – You need people in your life who are considered an asset and not a liability. A liability is a person that is considered a burden, one who depletes your strength. This person constantly takes from your life, you have to carry this person. This person doesn’t add value to your life. You seem to always have to encourage them as they are always in a negative or defeated space. After a while this becomes too much for you to bear and it becomes impossible for you to continue encouraging this person. On the contrary you need people in your life that are considered an added value -- you learn from them, discuss your ideas, goals and plans. This person encourages you and pours into your life and their conversation is uplifting and encouraging. This person and you are like-minded, share common values and you both are striving to achieve high and lofty goals. It is so refreshing when you are in the presence of this person as you both speak about your goals and dreams.
3. A true Friend – As you matriculate in life you will need someone to walk with you through those dark and difficult moments. It is in times of difficulty that you need someone to be there for you and with you. Having the right connection is having one or two individuals that will stay with you to the end of time. This person doesn’t walk away because it’s hard or because they don’t agree with you. You can share your sufferings, inner wounds and hurts with this person. At the end of the day you need someone you can be candid and vulnerable with – giving you a safe place to be transparent.
You need the right connections so you can have the right support system as you embark upon life’s journey. Most importantly, you need a person that you can trust. Everyone you meet may not be the right connection for you.
I want to encourage you to examine who are your closest allies and determine where do they fit in respect to the three areas mentioned above. Don’t try to connect with everyone that comes across your path but pray for the right connections that you need. It’s not about how many connections you have it’s having the right connections for your life and purpose!
