When you think of relationships that deserve your time and attention, you probably automatically think about your personal relationships with your family, spouse, and friends. There’s no doubt that these relationships should be cultivated, but they aren’t the only relationships that can transform your life when you give them the attention they deserve.
Taking the time to build positive relationships can provide you with a higher quality of life too!
1. Attorney
It isn’t uncommon to believe that you can make it through your entire life without needing help from an attorney. Although this is technically true, there are many life situations where you can greatly benefit from a knowledgeable lawyer.
For example, a personal injury attorney can help if you are injured due to someone else’s negligence, while an estate planning attorney can make sure your final wishes are followed. A family attorney can help you navigate a divorce, while a criminal attorney is a must if you find yourself in trouble with the law. There isn’t a single area of your life that couldn’t be improved with help from an attorney.
Don’t be afraid to reach out to an attorney when you need help, and take the time to interview them properly so you can find one that you’ll work well with. Maintain your relationship with them by reaching out from time to time, even after your case is over. They may be able to refer you to other attorneys who specialize in other areas when the time comes.
2. Family Doctor
You can get through life without a family doctor. It just means you go to the walk-in clinic whenever you develop a troubling symptom and that doctor can provide you with a referral to another office if it’s necessary. However, you’re really missing out if you don’t cultivate a relationship with a family doctor.
By scheduling an annual appointment with the same doctor, they can take a closer look at your health over time. They can pay attention to changes in your blood pressure and combinations of symptoms that a walk-in clinic doctor will easily miss. Having a family doctor really is the best way to catch potential health problems early. It can literally save your life.
3. Therapist
It’s not always easy to make the leap to see a therapist. It’s much easier to think you can make it through a tough time on your own. It’s also easy to habituate to a certain way of thinking and feeling, which means you don’t even remember that there’s a different way to live.
Building a relationship with a therapist or another professional who acts as your counselor can be life-changing. They can help you work through mental illnesses, like depression and anxiety, but they can also help you with other issues. From addictions to relationships with your spouse and children, letting a therapist get to know you and your history can greatly help you in just about every area of your life.
4. Coworkers
If you’re like most people, you spend about a third of your day at work. That’s a lot of time to spend with your coworkers, which means you can really benefit from cultivating the relationships you have with the people you work closest with.
Some of the best ways to cultivate positive relationships with your coworkers include:
- Develop trust by always doing what you say you’re going to do
- Maintain consistent, honest, and friendly communication
- Show your appreciation whenever the opportunity presents itself
- Be positive and speak positively about your coworkers
- Take a little time to have some small talk when it’s appropriate
5. Boss
It is no surprise that you can benefit from cultivating a relationship with your boss or supervisor, and yet, many people don’t take the time or make the effort to do it. Although it can be difficult, it is really worth your time to work on creating a positive relationship with your boss.
Many of the tips above concerning your coworkers apply, as does being flexible and being willing to help whenever they need it. If you have a difficult supervisor, take the time to develop a relationship with another supervisor or another superior. Having a positive relationship with at least one person above you can transform how you feel about going to work every day.
6. Mentor
It isn’t uncommon for some to go their entire lives without a mentor. You can survive without one, but you’ll greatly benefit from developing this kind of relationship with someone at least once during your professional career.
A mentor can provide you with important connections, but more importantly, they are often your biggest cheerleader. They can encourage you to take risks and follow your dreams when you otherwise might be a little too scared to do it on your own.
Feeling like you’re a little too old or have spent one too many years in your current role to need a mentor? Become a mentor and develop a relationship with a mentee instead!
7. Financial Advisor
Many people don’t spend as much time thinking about their finances as they should. That is, until there is an emergency that requires a large sum of cash or it’s time to retire.
Figuring out how much to save, what kinds of stocks to invest in, and when it’s appropriate to pull out how much money at a time can be nearly impossible to do on your own. If you don’t want to take the time to research the difference between a regular IRA and a Roth IRA, you’ll be glad you reached out to a financial advisor. They will be there for you for many years to come, listening to your hopes and dreams, and helping you to achieve your financial goals.
Cultivate your personal relationships, but don’t forget about your professional relationships! From your doctor to your coworkers, attorneys, and financial planners, there are many professional relationships that can transform your life for the better.
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