|
|
|
Strengthening Your Relationships During the Holidays During the whirlwind of busyness many people fall into in December it can be challenging to make time to nurture your relationships with your mate, family members and good friends. It may seem easier to push quality time (read: quality time = slower, more mindful, connected time) with loved ones to the bonus portion of your to-do list. The bonus being, "If I have time after taking care of holiday tasks." Or, you may find yourself physically in the same room with a loved one, but lacking the mental focus to truly connect with him or her. How can you know how your relationships feel to others? The quality of your relationship can be reflected on your child's face that lights up when you walk in the door. You can tell when you have a deep, hardy laugh with a close friend. You can tell when you experience regular, comfortable intimate moments with those you're closest to. As University of Colorado former football coach Bill McCarthy says, "You can tell the character of a man by the countenance on his wife's face." Recently I asked a client to describe his last fifteen-minute conversation with either of his daughters. He paused, searching his memory and finally said, "I don't think I have ever had a fifteen-minute conversation with them." His daughters are eighteen and twenty-one years old. He knows he loves them, but he needed help communicating that love. Do your relationships need some special attention this holiday season? You can build closeness with simple questions. For example, do you know who your child's or grandchild's favorite teacher is? Why does this person have a special place in his heart? What's her best friend's name? What does he want to be when he grows up? What has she learned about relationships that she thinks is important? What does he want to know about you when you were a kid? Use the same questioning style and technique you use for learning more about your current or potential clients with your family and friends. Listen with the same intensity and interest. Another small choice that can make a big difference in your relationships is to arrange two-hour and one-hour dates. If you can manage a two-hour date twice a month with your spouse and a one-hour lunch or dinner with a close friend, also once a month, you will find that both relationships are amazingly recharged. If you can’t make these dates during December, think about what you can do. Busyness is the germ that destroys the health of your relationships. While each of your relationships requires varying levels of time or energy, each also requires your undivided attention. Five minutes of attention today could save you heartaches tomorrow. Those five- and ten-minute segments add up to strong, bonded relationship in one, five, or ten years. Your relationships are what make you rich. Strong relationships require something more difficult to come by than money--time. Improving your communication skills and your connectedness to those around you will do more to further the health of your family and business than any other step you can take this year. Deepening your relationships is the biggest gift--and longest-lasting one--that you can give yourself this holiday season. excerpt from Progress Not Perfection: Your Journey Matters by Kate Larsen (Expert Publishing Inc.: 2007 ) ----- In the Media During the month of November, I had the privilege of being the guest advice columnist for www.womenworking.com. Take a look at the questions and my responses on the web site. You may also find some great information for all areas of your life. I need YOU! This year I have sent Winning Lifestyles Connections out faithfully each month. The articles (which are between 550-600 words per issue) are designed to be quick, informative and encouraging to read. Each article is followed by new resources, challenges from to you, and updates on my activities in the marketplace and media. Here is what I need from you: FEEDBACK. Do you enjoy these publications? Do you make time for them because they are worthwhile? (I suspect if you’ve read this far—you do make time for them. I know Patty P. reads them, thank you for your frequent feedback and encouragement!) What would you like to see in 2008? What could I improve or provide of value for you? This is for YOU, so please let me know. ----- Gift Ideas I would be remiss if I didn’t remind you of the wonderful resources I have available for those you love (including yourself) for getting into gear this new year improving your health, happiness and impact in the world. Take a look at my newly designed website for ideas on books, journals, CD's, and prayer cards. Each are gifts that keep on giving throughout the year. http://www.katelarsen.com/products.html For every product order that has a value of $10 or more, you will receive a FREE lifestyle journal compliments of Kate. For orders over $30, you receive two FREE journals. A fabulous gift idea for Garth Brooks fans. In October I spoke for a hospital group for their Breast Cancer Awareness program. During that program I learned that on November 6th, Garth Brooks was releasing a new 3-disk CD set called The Ultimate Hits. He has created a unique package that is being offered at http://ww3.komen.org/garth/ For $14.95 with $10.00 (!!!) going back to the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure Foundation. I was amazed at his generosity. I know some Garth Brooks fans, so on November 7th, I put in my order and sure enough, I got the CD's. Two of the CD's are music and one consists of a 33 video collection. Quite the deal. What a wonderful way to give a gift that gives back to the giver, receiver and the cause against breast cancer. ----- |
|