Einstein spent most of his life unlocking the secrets of the universe, and trying to understand the forces that shape our reality.
What did he think was the strongest? Electromagnetic forces? Gravity? Quantum entanglement?
I had a dream last night where I got to ask him.
Imaginary Einstein and I were sitting at a diner, and here’s what he said:
The most powerful force in our life is the nature of our relationships. ~Einstein of my dreams
Imaginary Einstein is right; relationships define the very quality of our entire lives.
Not just romance
When most people hear the word “relationship,” they only think about the romantic kind. While it’s true that who you choose to spend your life with is one of the most important career choices you’ll ever make, we’re not just talking about that.
Self
How’s your relationship with your self? Do you constantly criticise yourself? Do you over analyze opportunity to the point you’re paralyzed? If someone else talked to you like you talk to yourself, would you choose to spend time with them? How’s your physical health? Do you exercise? Do you feel like you’re a mind driving a big old meat puppet that’s poorly equipped to do even the most basic tasks?
Problems
Do you see problems as obstacles constantly preventing you from happiness? Are you seeing the same issues over & over? Does it feel like no matter what you do, you wind up in exactly the same place year after year? Are your biggest problems with ideas, people, or things?
Business
Are you constantly looking for new clients because the old ones stop coming back? Do you wonder where the next sale is coming from? Do you believe in what you’re selling? Does work consume every waking hour? Do emails & texts interfere with your ability to be present with life outside the office?
Personal
Do the people in your life (family, friends, coworkers) make you laugh? Do you find yourself trying to avoid them? Are they constantly criticising you? Do they try to tear down your accomplishments?
Is this you?
If you’re nodding your head along with every single one of those questions, you’re acknowledging the power of relationships to shape your life.
You are a part of this universe. You do not exist in a vacuum. From the instant you’re born, your reality is shaped by your relationship with/to it.
Improving the quality of your relationships (with yourself, your friends, your family, & your business) is the single most important project you’ll ever work on.
Where do you start?
There’s no shortage of gurus who will tell you what to do. Maybe they’ll tell you to start meditating. Maybe they’ll tell you to start a gratitude journal.
But none of that really tells you what’s at the heart of improving your relationships.
There’s as single skill you can work on that will improve your life across the board.
What is it?
Answer: Communication skills.
Relationships define your life, and the quality of your communication skills dictate the quality of relationships. Improve your communication skills, and it pays off everywhere.
With better communication skills you’ll be a better friend, partner, leader, salesperson, and on down the line it goes.
So if you’re looking to improve your life, don’t chase the latest “hack” or “trick.” Focus, instead, on being able to clearly express yourself, and understand others.
Knowing how to do that is the only secret worth knowing.
