How to Improve Your Relationship With Others

Improving your relationship with others is not difficult.

Humans long for connections with other people and become upset when relationships sour. In spite of this, most people never get a formal education about how to maintain and improve the important relationships in their lives. Those who are lucky can observe and imitate successful relationships in their homes, but all too many children do not have good role models for the skills needed to enhance relationships with others, Moreover, managing relationships is not usually a skill that is taught in the classroom. The good news is that improving your relationships is not difficult if you know how to go about it.

Things You'll Need

• effort on your part
• kindness
• compassion for others
• understanding
• tolerance of others differences

Instructions

1. Treat others with the respect and kindness you would like them to show you. According to New Testament scripture Luke 6:31 NIV, "Do to others as you would have them do to you." This is known as the Golden Rule; it is the basic foundation of all relationships. If you treat others well, many people reciprocate.

2. Remember to say, "Thank you." This reminder comes from Dale Carnegie, one of the pioneers in the field of human relationships. Make an effort to notice when your friends and family members go out of their way to help you; show them some appreciation.

3. Teach others how to treat you. Being kind and appreciative does not mean being a doormat. If someone in your life treats you badly, for instance, by putting you down or teasing you too roughly, now is the time to put a stop to it; tell that person how you expect to be treated.

4. Talk out misunderstandings. Misunderstandings happen in even the best of relationships. If you find yourself suddenly at odds with one of your friends, talk to that person and try to figure out what happened. Talking through the problem and arriving at a solution is likely to bring you closer together.

Tips & Warnings

• Be patient. Relationships take time to grow and evolve. Even if you use all the strategies described above, it will still take some time before you see improvements.

• Do not attempt these strategies on someone who is physically abusing you or harming you in other ways. That person does not want a relationship with you; she is probably looking for someone to exploit or hurt. End the abusive relationship and build other relationships with people who really do care about you.

References

• "How to Win Friends and Influence People"; Dale Carnegie; 1936
• Dr. Phil: Life Strategies
• MSNBC: Six Smart Rules to Improve Your Relationship