How To Turn Relationships Into Potential Financial Gains

“Don’t burn your bridges,” someone once told me. It’s a familiar phrase that most everyone has heard, but not everyone heeds. I’ve damaged many bridges in my life. But I don’t think I’ve ever burned any (none too badly, at least). It’s difficult to choose what to say or do in a moment faced with adversity. Very often we neglect to see what the unintended consequences of our actions may be. We may feel good about getting something off our chests at the moment, and we may be well justified in doing it. It may even be a moment of personal growth when we can stand up and assert ourselves when we feel oppressed. But think about the timing and the rationale for your behavior. Holding back for the moment may come in handy in the future. Most importantly, consider the negative consequences that could result; think karma, if you will. I’m not advocating that you lay down and let people walk all over you, or that you become a professional punching bag. But that person who you told off yesterday could be the person who saves your life tomorrow.

Work To Be Genuine

Over the years, I have been blessed with many opportunities to meet with new people and establish various types of relationships with each of them. No matter how insignificant a meeting may have actually been, I’d like to think that I left those experiences on good terms; I hope that I left them with good first impressions of who I am. It takes a conscious effort from each of us to be aware of who we are in the moment. Others will notice this about you. You don’t even have to say anything. The meta-communication style that each of us projects affects others. Have you ever heard someone say, “Yeah, I met that guy the other day, but there’s something about him that I don’t like.” That’s meta-communication at work. No matter what you say, others will pick up on the nuances of your personality. You won’t have to worry about this, however, if you’re genuine in what you say and do.

The Value of Re-Connecting

In recent years, I’ve tried to re-connect and catch up with influential people in my life. Scouring the internet and my old contact numbers, I would attempt to get an update on these people’s lives and share with them my own experiences since we last met. I can say that I’ve been mostly successful in at least letting some of these people know that I am still alive, doing well, and that I was thinking about them. People like to know that others have them on their mind, especially when it’s in a positive light. And then there were some that I just couldn’t get a hold of. But there is enough satisfaction in at least knowing I tried to maintain contact or re-connect that still leaves me feeling content with who I am. If you try this exercise of contacting people from the past, you might be pleasantly surprised with the results.