relationships – Page 3 – Personal Growth Cafe

December 17, 2017

Relationships are my greatest treasures.

Relationships are far more important than riches. There is nothing in life more valuable than relationships.

Possessions are temporary and passing, but relationships make life-changing marks on our hearts.

I choose to spend my time and money on the people I care about.

When I receive an invitation to connect, I make the necessary arrangements to meet with my loved ones.

Rearranging my schedule to make time for my loved ones is a sacrifice I am glad to make.

Daily, I seek to make long-lasting memories with my family. When we are together, I ignore small annoyances and focus on joy.

My camera is always within arms reach so that I can capture memories to remember for generations to come.

I forgive my loved ones quickly of any offenses because life is too short to waste on frivolous disputes.

Relationships are my safe haven from life’s torrential rains. Good friends can turn even the toughest situation into an endurable adventure.

My friends and I help each other laugh through the storms and relax during the calm because that is what we do.

It takes a lot of effort to maintain relationships; therefore I work hard to be a good friend.

I have a tight grasp around those I love because life is full of distractions that can pull me apart from my friends, unless I make the conscious decision to hold on to them.

Today, I choose to make time to invest in my relationships.

I stay in touch with old friends because a well-tended friendship has the ability to outlast all other things in life.

What can I do to strengthen my relationships?

What can you do for someone you have lost touch with?

Talk about that in the Personal Growth Cafe Community!

Also, as your gift for taking this to heart – and this is profoundly important… to us ALL – go to UnitingPlanetEarth.com/ignition/ and do the Uniting Planet Earth 7-Day Quick-Start Ignition Program… and Allow it to Transform Your Life.

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December 17, 2017

Love does not consist in gazing at each other but in looking outward together in the same direction. – Antoine de Saint-Exupery

September 8, 2017September 26, 2017

Discover the Most Common Relationship Secrets

Couples routinely keep secrets from each other despite the damage this does to their relationships. These secrets can range from innocent mistakes to more serious lies.

Relationships secrets can vary, but there are some common trends among them.

If you suspect your loved one isn’t being upfront about everything, one of these secrets might be the culprit:

Money secrets. One of the most common secrets in relationships is money and tends to be focused on spending.

Most couples don’t hide their salaries from each other. However, they often hide how much they spend. From an innocent fib about finding something on sale instead of paying full price to more serious lies about thousands in credit card debt, the secrets can differ.

Both men and women try to hide their spending habits.

Food secrets. This secret isn’t always easy to keep in a relationship since you usually share a kitchen. It’s not hard to spot the candy wrappers in the trash can or notice the extra bottles of soda in the fridge.

Couples still manage to keep food secrets from each other. However, they’re usually related to eating out instead of what they eat at home.

Couples sometimes try to hide what they had at a fast food place or a restaurant by sneaking them in the car or at work.

Most of the food secrets happen when one or both partners are supposed to be on a diet. It’s tempting to cheat, and it’s easy to pick up food as you do errands or return from work.

Cheating secrets. Infidelity is a serious issue for many relationships.

Your partner will probably try to hide that he or she is cheating on you. It’s rare for them to blatantly parade another person in front of you or to discuss their affairs while you’re still in a relationship.

Cheating secrets are some of the most damaging to the security and long-term success of a relationship.

Exercise secrets. Some couples will hide how little they exercise, and some will try to hide how much they exercise.

Although it’s more common to keep secrets about not working out, there are cases of people lying about working out more. Some of these are related to eating disorders, and your partner may be keeping the high workouts a secret because they want to burn off too many calories.

Television secrets. This secret may seem unusual, but it’s more common than you think.

Some couples keep their television habits and favorites a secret from each other at home.

In many cases, they have an agreement to watch a show together, but one of them will cheat and watch it alone. Then, they try to keep it a secret and pretend they haven’t seen the latest episode.

In other cases, partners are embarrassed to watch trashy shows or bad comedies. They may keep their TV habits a secret because of shame or guilt.

Secrets about their “ex.” Often, couples will keep meetings or phone calls from a former partner a secret.

Most couples worry about their loved one finding out an ex is back in their lives. They don’t want to sabotage the new relationship, so they hide it.

Secrets can hurt both people in a relationship, and the damage can extend to other members of their families.

Although you know you should be honest with your partner, it’s not always easy, and secrets are sometimes hard to avoid. In most cases, though, honesty is the best policy. Honesty naturally builds trust and strengthens your relationship.

Why do we tend to keep secrets from our partners?

Why is it difficult to tell these secrets from your partner?

Talk about that in the Personal Growth Cafe Community!

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September 5, 2017September 26, 2017

Five Ways to Stay Motivated Through Relationship Challenges

Whether you’re struggling with a new relationship or an older one, it helps to find the motivation to keep going.

It’s not always easy to see your love for each other when you’re experiencing serious challenges. However, a healthy, fulfilling relationship is worth striving for.

Try these strategies to keep yourself motivated through challenging times with your partner:

1. Figure out your “why.”

Why are you with your partner? Why are you still together and hanging on? Every relationship has an answer to this question. It’s crucial that you figure out your why and focus on it.

* You may be together because you started off as close friends, because you’re deeply in love and have passion, or because of children or other obligations.

* When you determine your why, it will help you rekindle your romance and figure out unique ways to overcome your challenges.

2. Remember the past.

Sometimes it helps to look back on the past and see why you fell in love in the first place.

* Your relationship will change over time as you evolve. However, remembering the past will help you figure out if it’s worth staying together. You may be able to go back and restore some of the initial emotions. The past can help motivate you in the present.

3. Seek a solution.

When you’re facing any difficulty, it’s easy to fall into despair and see the challenge as impossible to overcome.

* If you avoid viewing your relationship issues as impossible to solve, your mind will naturally start to search for solutions. You may suddenly find the answers around you as you look at other couples, watch TV, or read books.

* The key is to focus on finding a solution, rather than on how difficult and impossible the challenge is.

* Remind yourself that every relationship has a starting point and a middle point. You may be at the middle point with multiple challenges, but you can get past them and stay motivated to resolve your issues.

4. Stay connected to your partner.

One of the worst things you can do during a relationship struggle is to ignore your partner. This will make the issues worse and could destroy your love. Even if you need some space, avoid pushing your partner completely out of the picture.

* Whether it’s a daily meal together or a conversation late at night, it’s crucial that you continue to communicate with each other.

* Your efforts to stay connected may involve talking to your partner, getting outside advice from friends or family members, and getting therapy or couples counseling.

5. Find a reason to stay together.

Sometimes you simply need a reason to keep your relationship going.

* The reasons can include your children, pets, household, career, and other things that you have built together. The reasons can also be more subtle, such as you love seeing your partner smile, or you love the way they compliment your cooking.

* Whatever the reason may be, make it the center of your focus. It doesn’t have to be a monumental or enormous reason. It simply has to matter to you.

Your relationship doesn’t have to end because of challenges. Instead, find a way to overcome the obstacles and restore your love. These strategies can help!

How do you show value to your relationships?

How do you motivate yourself to stay positive in that relationship?

Talk about that in the Personal Growth Cafe Community!

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July 19, 2012

Free Yourself From Fears With Healthy Alternatives

Having fears is a natural part of life. However, when you allow a fear to alter the way that you live your life or the relationships you have with others, the fear becomes an unhealthy burden.

Below are two examples of common fears and scenarios of healthy and unhealthy reactions.

Fear #1: The Straying Partner

You fear that your partner is cheating on you. Even though you have no proof, you’re convinced because you’ve gained a considerable amount of weight.

Facing your fear:

In this example, you can overcome your fear by understanding that the fear is really a byproduct of your personal insecurities, rather than your partner’s disloyalty.

1. Healthy reaction: Rather than accusing your partner of straying, ask them whether they’re unhappy with your weight gain. Communicate that you’re feeling self-conscious about your looks. Enroll in a weight loss program to boost your self-esteem.

* This is a healthy reaction because you’re addressing the true issue, which is your newfound insecurity. Nothing in your partner’s behavior has changed; the only change in your relationship might be your self-esteem.

2. Unhealthy reaction: You start riffling through your partner’s belongings and spying on their cell phone call logs, emails, and Facebook interactions. You discreetly drive by their workplace at lunchtime. Even after finding nothing, you continue to invade their space because you’re sure they’ll eventually slip up.

* Clearly, this reaction is unhealthy because you’re allowing your insecurities to take over your life. You feel badly about your body image, and you’re subconsciously sabotaging your relationship by wrongfully accusing your partner.

* If you wrongfully accuse your partner of straying, they’ll likely become upset that you’re giving your insecurities the power to tarnish their character. This wrongful accusation may lead to distance in your relationship and potentially irreparable damage.

Fear #2: The Concerned Parent

You fear losing your children. You love your children so much and shudder at the thought of your life without them. Thoughts of tragedy cross your mind from time to time.

Facing your fear:

In this example, you can face your fears head on by realizing that it’s impossible to shield your children from the world. Rather than stopping them from enjoying life, you can do everything within your power to ensure safe enjoyment.

1. Healthy reaction. Ensure that your children know standard safety precautions, such as crossing the street with an adult and never talking to strangers. Have an extensive chat with other parents before allowing your children to spend the night at a friend’s home.

* Every parent is concerned with his or her children’s safety. However, it’s important to understand that you can’t shield your children from the world. So, rather than tucking them away for yourself, allow them to experience life and do your best to ensure their safety.

2. Unhealthy reaction: You choose to protect your children by refusing to trust anyone with their safety. You ensure that the only friends your children keep are cousins, family friends, and neighbors that you know closely. You limit your children’s experiences of the outside world because you fear that something bad will happen to them.

* Keeping your children from making friends can cause social and emotional damage. Limiting their experiences also limits their ability to experience the successes that can grow their self-esteem.

Everyday fears have the ability to affect how you live your life. By conquering your fears rationally and maturely, you increase your quality of life. Face your fears in productive ways that move you closer to the happiness you deserve.

July 17, 2012

Creating Effective and Efficient Relationships

Relationships of all kinds are often perceived as very delicate things, that require extra effort to maintain. However, a relationship can also be something that can provide security and can also be long lasting despite many trials.

Building an effective and lasting relationships is a necessity for several reasons. For example in a group or organization, the well being of the people depends on how efficient and effective that group or organization works.

The group or organization is also dependent on how the members work well with the management.

An ineffective group or organization can really be very frustrating. An effective group or organization can also ask so much on their members, that sometimes the members would be having no life outside the walls of the area where they work or sacrifice the other aspects of their life just to meet deadlines. For an organization or group with this kind of scenario, relationships can be stressed or suffer from breakdown.

People or other entities who depend on these groups or organization also suffer.

Society is defined as a web of relationships, which requires all parties to work and contribute their share in order to achieve a common goal. Having a relationship that is good, where cooperation and respect are manifested, can make society work better. In this way each member works for the good of the whole and towards achieving a common goal. This can only be attained with effective and efficient relationships.

Understanding the other parties’ feeling and position creates an effective and efficient relationship. The easiest method to understand what is important to another party is to ask them what they want and listen to what they have to say. When the other party realizes this, they would feel the importance given to them

Effective and efficient relationships require parties to openly express their feelings and positions on all matters pertinent on the relationship. Assuming that the other party understands our needs and give us when we need it without asking for it is not a good practice.

Respect is the key to relationship. In order to create a more effective relationship, parties should treat each other with respect. We can show respect just by listening to the other party and by trying sincerely to understand how they function. You can also show respect to other parties by confirming that they are doing everything they can.

The opposite of respect is quick forming of judgements based on unfounded facts and prejudice.

Respect is the very foundation for a great relationship. This also means respecting yourself and respecting others.

Another key area in forming an effective relationship is to tackle differences of the other party directly. Differences between parties or people are quite interesting. For example in a conversation where each party listens to the other party, you may observe that each is having two different perspectives.

Work towards a win-win solution for both parties.

This can be done when at least one party acknowledges that the relationship is important. That party would then exert more time, effort and energy to understand the other party’s needs and deal with it to get it out of the way. Should they fail, it is comforting for that party to know that they tried.

Effectively listening and no pre-judging. This is important if parties are to understand each other.

Informal discussions are conducive for parties. They bring out issues and concerns comfortably. They also feel more relaxed making them think more clearly.

Developing an atmosphere where the other party can express their feelings when they need to.

When parties fail to express whatever is on their mind or their feelings, it can get in the way of building an effective relationship.

Parties should be aware that certain things exist naturally but should be controlled in any dealings in any relationship. Human nature is one. Some of these things found in a relationship also include a history of stereotyping or mistrust, blaming the other person or party for a strained relationship, excluding the other party’s feelings when focusing on a task, no clear and defined objectives, roles and expectations of each party in a relationship is also unclear.

Relationships are important to anyone, addressing issues and problems right away is a must to further improve the relationship. As they say ‘No man is an Island’.

July 10, 2012

Bad day at work, taking it out on my kids? PersonalGrowthCafe.com Q&A Video #1

Someone asked me if he has a bad day at work, how can he stop himself from taking out his frustrations on his kids when he gets home from work. I’m sure on some level you’ve let outside influences affect your personal relationships and the people you love.

How can you prevent yourself from jeopardizing the things that mean the most to you?

Watch this video and find out!

Then let’s talk about your experiences in the Personal Growth Community at http://www.PersonalGrowthCommunity.com, where I can give you as much personal coaching as you’d like.

And, also, go to https://www.PersonalGrowthCafe.com to do the “Crash Course on Creating Your Ideal Life”, my $197 video training that’s yours as a gift at the Personal Growth Cafe… to make sure you’re using your power wisely, each moment.

July 1, 2012July 11, 2012

Afraid Of Looking Foolish

Some people are not self-confident enough to ask someone they like to go on a date with them, so they deny themselves a Healthy Relationship because they are afraid of getting hurt.

The real issue for those people is low self-esteem. This video shows you how to have the self-confidence to believe in yourself and know you *DESERVE* the things you Desire.

These are the links mentioned in the video:

Go to https://www.PersonalGrowthCafe.com and begin doing the “Crash Course on Creating Your Ideal Life with The First Covenant” there.

That’s my $197 video training – it’s yours as a gift to thank you for visiting the site.

You’ll also find dozens of other ways to “learn and grow and become a better person” there, as you’ll see when you visit the Personal Growth Cafe. (Go now…. thanks!)

Then go to http://www.PersonalGrowthCommunity.com so I can personally coach you and make sure you’re applying the insights from this video, specifically to what’s happening in your life.

Lastly, join the “Personal Growth Revolution” at http://www.PersonalGrowthRevolution.com and help us blow through our goal of improving the lives of 1 billion people within 1 year!

Joyfully,

Dan Klatt,
“Think And Grow Rich Guy”
Author of “the Daily Personal Success System”
President of the http://www.PersonalGrowthAuthorsAssociation.com