I had every intention of writing this blog about some key areas of leadership, but I just finished up emailing two awesome new connections and am flying high about it. I thought I’d elaborate on some valuable takeaways from my week.
At the end of the day, life is about relationships. Valuable, genuine relationships. It’s not about getting ahead or hustling; it’s about being as solid of a person as possible and making the world a better place. A valuable relationship is one that makes you and another person/group of people better—a better friend, a better father, a better athlete, a better communicator…
“Great, Spaniard, life’s about relationships. Now what do I do with that?”
My response is that you intentionally build valuable relationships.
How do you intentionally build these relationships?
- Stand for something—You have to know what your values are and what your mission is. Once you have identified that, you have an idea of the type of relationships that will really add value to your life and the lives of others. Start small and expand.
- Pick up the phone or send an email—You have to start. Action begets action. It’s the snowball effect. One personal connection leads to another and another and another. I am “real time” learning and living the concept of networks and relationships. “Hi, my name is Spaniard. I’m…and I just wanted to reach out and let you know I think your…is awesome. I really value communicating with like-minded people and resonate with your story of…Keep doing your thing and know you have a fan in PA. I hope to cross paths in the near future.” That’s it. Sometimes that’ll serve as the base of a relationship. Sometimes, you will have sent a nice email to a nice person and the world has an additional piece of goodness. (There are follow up steps as well, but this is a general starting point).
- Let go of FOMO (fear of missing out)—Be an ambassador of connecting good people to each other. In one of my books or podcasts, they mention the term “Super Connector.” The name says it all. I know personally that I carried (still do to some degree) this FOMO in certain instances. “What if I connect them and they make “Super Product” together?” That’s a weak approach. I’m guilty (not proud) of it. Have faith and do good. Remember that “all ships rise in a high tide.”
- Be nice—Perhaps the greatest piece of advice my parents ever gave me was, “You just never know.” You never know when the life you touch or the impression you make will somehow, some way, come back into your life in the future. People remember things. Operate with the mentality of being nice and you’ll build valuable relationships without even knowing.
Take a few minutes during this storm to execute on one of the above steps. TODAY. Tell me about it.
Spaniard
About the author : cbrenneman
Three days after the birth of his second child, The Spaniard discusses Fathership (a Spaniard term): his gratitude, his hopes, his plans, and how little he and his wife are sleeping. What does this mean for you? The tale involving Sheetz will make you think about the power of example. The discussion of summer camp and iffy acquaintances will help you watch for good and bad influences. The story in the hospital will alert you to opportunities to make simple, difficult decisions for growth. Whatever your relationship to parenting—past, present, future, never—there are thoughts here to help you put your arms around what matters most to you. Also: The three inspirations for the new baby’s name!
Three days after the birth of his second child, The Spaniard discusses Fathership (a Spaniard term): his gratitude, his hopes, his plans, and how little he and his wife are sleeping. What does this mean for you? The tale involving Sheetz will make you think about the power of example. The discussion of summer camp and iffy acquaintances will help you watch for good and bad influences. The story in the hospital will alert you to opportunities to make simple, difficult decisions for growth. Whatever your relationship to parenting—past, present, future, never—there are thoughts here to help you put your arms around what matters most to you. Also: The three inspirations for the new baby’s name!
Latest videos
It’s host versus co-host. The Spaniard finds competition essential while Dread questions that. The Spaniard gives a wrestler’s and fighter’s appreciation of flesh-and-blood opponents: how they have shaped him, how they have often obsessed him, and how he sometimes has to search for their equivalents. The conversation highlights how competitors personify high standards and how the highest performance might require a winner and a loser. Also: Will baby Rocky let The Spaniard work out?
It’s host versus co-host. The Spaniard finds competition essential while Dread questions that. The Spaniard gives a wrestler’s and fighter’s appreciation of flesh-and-blood opponents: how they have shaped him, how they have often obsessed him, and how he sometimes has to search for their equivalents. The conversation highlights how competitors personify high standards and how the highest performance might require a winner and a loser. Also: Will baby Rocky let The Spaniard work out?
It’s host versus co-host. The Spaniard finds competition essential while Dread questions that. The Spaniard gives a wrestler’s and fighter’s appreciation of flesh-and-blood opponents: how they have shaped him, how they have often obsessed him, and how he sometimes has to search for their equivalents. The conversation highlights how competitors personify high standards and how the highest performance might require a winner and a loser. Also: Will baby Rocky let The Spaniard work out?
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