Every Year, around the world, men and women will exchange love notes, cards, flowers and chocolates on the 14th of February to declare their love for their someone special. However, Valentines Day isn’t always celebrated in the same way by everyone. For some people there isn’t a special someone to exchange gifts with. Sometimes single solidarity reigns and an anti-cupid campaign will emerge. There is a social understanding about how people are supposed to behave on this celebrated day when they are in a relationship. There are typically consequences when the day’s importance is forgotten or minimized by a love partner. It is understood to be an exclusive evening for romance, love and whatever else you’re in favor of on this celebratory occasion. So, what could Valentines Day possibly have in common with business?
I frequently remind my clients during our consulting sessions that “how they do anything is how they do everything”. There would be no question between lovers that they need to dedicate time, patience, communication and commitment to strengthen and grow their relationship. Yet, when we talk about business, most people have more excuses than ideas during times of struggle or uncertainty. What if the same principles that apply to successful loving relationships could be applied to your business and in return the level of your business success greatly improved?
Here are four business tips that successful love relationships can teach you!
Tip 1. You can not control anyone or anything else. Your actions and beliefs about how you show up in your relationships and in your business speaks loudly to the world around you. Many times situations will arise that will stop you in your tracks and cause havoc as you navigate through whatever the circumstances are that are negatively impacting you. When the balance between control and surrender is learned you will find that it becomes easier and easier to take less things personally. Sometimes disappointing and unplanned events happen but when you know that you are always capable of creating a solution instead of becoming a victim there’s literally no obstacle that you won’t be able to overcome.
Tip 2. “Don’t let your head hit someone else’s ceiling”. There will always be opportunities for self doubt and a fear of failure in love and business. As you read this article there are probably many examples that you can think of regarding some of the choices you have made in your past that have held you back because of someone else’s limited beliefs or vision regarding what they believed was possible. It is obviously important to ask for support when you are facing a dilemma or difficult decision but it is imperative that you take into consideration the source of that support. Sometimes, even with good intentions, you are given bad advice from those who are trying to help you. Additionally, it is important to note that sometimes in the quest to do the right thing you can sometimes make bad choices. Know where you’re going in your goals, know where you are as you begin to pursue them and know your plan as you begin to experience success and growth. You are the only one who decides what you can do and what you can achieve.
Tip 3. Dreams are necessary for Long Term Love. Sure…We’re talking about business here but dreams are an important and fundamental part of business success. The excitement of what you are creating at the beginning can be intoxicating but once the day to day activities take over it becomes easier to forget the big picture and to forget the dream. You may not always like doing the tasks that have to be done but you must never forget the reason why you’re doing them. When you are challenged with the motivation to keep going towards achieving your dream of becoming successful then start celebrating the small achievements. These measureable milestones will go a long way in keeping you on track and inspired to go the distance.
Tip 4. Don’t assume anything! In a love relationship it is easy to assume that your partner understands your wants and your needs. But there are times in that relationship, and definitely in your business, when you need to remind yourself, your partner(s) and anyone else that it impacts that not only do you believe you’re on the path to the desired destination but that you also remind all of those involved what it will look like when you get there. Communication is one of the biggest factors in success. It makes a big difference to the people in your life and business when you take the time to really understand what’s going on. The people around you will be more confident and more proactive with you when they feel that you are invested on appreciating and validating them as important people or business colleagues. People will treat you the way you teach them you’re willing to be treated. Make sure that the message you’re sending out there is one of integrity, authenticity and graciousness. Make sure that your actions and your words influence the world the way you intend them to.