It has become extremely obvious to me lately that the word “relationship” is very cachet that is to say, it signifies a certain importance when used. Quite a few industries have begun using this term to portray the personal caring that their company focuses on when they do business. Whether or not that is true and to what extent it is true can only be determined by its employees. And yet, I have to wonder how many of the businesses not only using this term but placing such a great deal of importance on the business/ client, customer relationship, have actually given any thought to it’s employee’s perceptions? How do the people in these organizations respond, not only to the relationships with the customer, but also to their fellow employees within the organization, from the top down?

Relationships have been going on since the beginning of time. It is only now that many have begun to use the concept of a relationship to try and sell their business more effectively.

In my keynote addresses as well as my consulting I stress that the most important relationship we will ever have is the one we have with ourselves. In order to understand this concept more effectively some of the key points to reflect on are as follows.

1. How do I speak to myself?
2. How do I see myself?
3. Do I care more about how others perceive me than I perceive myself?
4. Is my head in constant conflict with my heart? (guilt)
5. Am I living a fulfilled live?
6. Am I committed to helping others reach success?
7. Is my work a reflection of my hearts desire and do I truly love doing it?

All of the above points, as well as others, determine the type of relationship we have with ourselves. Become aware of our attitude and we become aware of the information that ultimately runs our life and determines the quality of the relationships we have.

We have relationships in all seven areas of our life.

1. We form relationships with our family members. (familial)
2. We form relationships with our friends and acquaintances. (social)
3. We form relationships with our employers, employees, clients, and co-workers. (vocational)
4. We form relationships with our money. (financial)
5. We form relationships with a higher power or God (spiritual)
6. We form relationships with our emotions and our brain (mental)
7. We form relationships with our bodies (physical)

Whether these relationships are productive and caring will be determined by the letters a) through g) that I listed above. Ultimately we speak, think and behave toward others the way we speak, think and behave toward ourselves. The term, consider the source, most definitely applies here. We are the source of our own fulfillment. We have a choice in how we live our life. We have a choice in how we view the world and in the types of relationships we have with others.

In the late 1980’s the “Deming” philosophy was being taught throughout Corporate America. I was one of its students and learned the “Quality” method.
In certain situations a company would not do business with anyone who did not have a “Mission Statement” and require it’s employees to be educated in the “Quality” method.

I wonder how many businesses have taken the time and energy to put some “real” meaning behind the word relationship? How many have invested in educating their employees in self-empowerment, which ultimately will bring a greater bottom line to the business? It’s a win win situation for everyone involved from the employer to the employee to the customer.

The responsibility we face here is what are we doing from the inside out to have a more appreciative relationship with ourselves, one that will spill out to those around us?

For more information or to schedule an appointment please visit my website at www.llonadoubet.com or call 713-934-8398.

Llona’s “Success” recommended monthly reading.

“The Power of We” by Jonathan Tish

Llona’s “Success” quote of the month.

“Everyone’s success contributes to my success”
-from the book “Creating Money Keys to Abundance”

Llona’s Events open To All – October

Thursday, Oct. 21st - 7 – 9 pm Life Works – Center For Spirited Living

Topic - Intro. To: Transformation through Releasing the Past.

Saturday, Oct 30th - 8:30am till evening
Life Works – Center for Spirited Living

Topic – The Transformation Experience

Illuminations, Inc.
PO Box 41971 - Houston, Texas 77241-1971
Phone: 713-934-8398 - Fax: 713-934-892

©2004 Llona A Doubet, All rights reserved.