See the box on the right of the main page for the free report Timeless Success Values For Everyone.
One of those timeless values is Relationships. I don’t believe it’s possible to have any kind of true success that isn’t totally self-centered without making the relationships in your life a high priority. Very few people want to be successful on their own. There’s always people you want to take with you and share your success with. Then there are the people your success would impact beyond your immediate circle of influence.
All of these people have some kind of relationship with you, meaning there’s a level of trust and comfort with you. There’s responsibility in there too. When someone trusts and has a certain level of comfort with you, you are obligated to respond in a way that supports that trust and comfort. For instance your spouse should have the highest level of trust and comfort with you. Don’t you have an incredible, yet fulfilling, obligation to show him or her that their trust is warranted?
The same goes for your children, extended family, co-workers, business partners, customers, suppliers, the people in the pew next to you at Church and everyone you meet. Even if only briefly, there exists a relationship between you and everyone you come into contact with. That first encounter will often color how you are perceived by that person forever. Sometimes you can overcome a poor first encounter, but it takes a lot of work.
What would your life, your business, your job, your marriage or your social life be like if you treated everyone as if you had a long, solid relationship with them? Not romantic, but rather the kind where the other person knows you and trusts you. This will vastly increase not only your own reputation, but your influence and reach. People want to work with, be with and do things with people they feel trust for and are comfortable with. Treat others like that and see what happens.
