Relationship Articles

Need advice on dating and relationships or tips on turning up the romance in your marriage? You'll find all kinds of helpful information here about love, romance, and relationships.

Relationships that Work: How to Get Along with People Who Drive You Crazy


Question: What % of your bad moods at work are caused by conflicts?

Answer: About 80% (if you're like the typical person)

Think about how those conflicts wreck your work: You slip into an angry or frustrated mood and suddenly your productivity takes a nosedive.

It makes sense, then, that doing your part to strengthen relationships can boost your results: Fix the conflict, feel better, get more done. And, of course, the tougher the relationship is, the bigger the payoff in working to make it a little better.

Try these tips to make even the thorniest relationships easier to handle:

* Look for the good. It isn't necessary to like all your coworkers, but it is necessary to treat everyone with respect. The best way to respect someone is to discover their strengths, skills, or contributions; then, focus on those instead of what you don't like. The more you can recognize a person's good qualities, the easier it is to show them genuine respect.

* Don't expect miracles. Sometimes, two people who don't get along can - over time - grow into friends. On the other hand, sometimes relationships simply remain stuck & difficult. But if you make even small, incremental changes that cut down the stress and conflict on each side, you can consider your efforts a success.

* Don't just focus on the other person. It's easy to think the other person should change. If they do, that's a bonus. But since that may not happen, concentrate on what you can contribute to constructing a relationship that's as good as possible.

* Attack the problem, not the person. Imagine that you aren't getting information you need from another department, and it's causing your work to suffer. You may presume the other department is lazy, or doesn't care, or is trying to sabotage your success. Instead of attacking the people involved, attack the problem. Suggest a meeting to determine what the problem is and why you aren't getting the information. The real problem may be short staffing or system problems -- or they may not be getting the information they need from someone else. You'll stay solution-oriented and engage others with your professionalism intact.

* Don't let the "crabs" get you down. Know any crabs? They're the type of people for whom nothing is ever right, good enough, or "fixable." Stay determined to prevent the "crabs" from pulling you down to their level. Use these 5 steps:

1. Try to understand why they're negative. They may be dealing with a serious life issue. Understanding may help you be more sympathetic and less frustrated.

2. Talk to them about it. Tell them you've noticed they have seemed a little down and offer to help. They may not open up, but it's often helpful just to know that someone cares. It will also give them a tactful heads-up as to how they're coming across (they simply may not realize their attitude is affecting others).

3. Avoid them if the situation doesn't improve.

4. Remove them from your environment (if possible and if truly necessary).

5. Have a "recovery plan." If steps 1-3 above haven't worked, and you can't remove them (which is often the case with a coworker), have a plan for how you'll replenish your good mood after you come into contact with them. A recovery plan will at least cut your "down time" - for example, you may be upset for 30 minutes rather than for 4 hours.

* Have one more positive interaction a day. Say "thanks," give a compliment or pass the praise. Feeling appreciated is the No. 1 motivator for most employees. While that recognition can and should come from managers, every employee can contribute with quick morale boosters.

* Keep your attitude as positive as possible, whatever your circumstances. It's easy to think your attitude is determined by other people and by uncontrollable events in your life. But if that's true, you've lost control. Stay resolved to be as happy as possible, for just five minutes at a time. You'll feel better and be easier to get along with.

Shari Peace is an international speaker, an author and the president of Peace Talks, a professional speaking firm that helps people and organizations get more done with less stress. Her book, Crank It Out!, features tips for sharper time management and increased productivity. She can be reached at http://www.sharipeace.com.


MORE RESOURCES:

Rebuilding relationships is topic of new class
Deseret News, UT - 22 hours ago
If you've ended a love relationship, you are. Christ United Methodist Church is offering a new class, "Rebuilding When Your Relationship Ends." It is held ...


New York Times

Money and Olympics key to NBA in London says NBA commissioner
The Canadian Press, LONDON - Oct 10, 2008
"It's not about whether we have a league, it's about growing our sponsor relationships, our merchandise relationships, our television relationships, ...
NBA and Partner to Help Build 12 Arenas in China New York Times
NBA KEEP EUROPE AT ARM'S LENGTH Sportinglife.com
NBA Europe plans scaled back on credit crisis guardian.co.uk
Palm Beach Post - Daily Mail
all 73 news articles


Photo exhibit at church honors same-sex relationships
The Capital Times, WI - 9 hours ago
A photo exhibit featuring partners in same-sex relationships will be on display beginning Sunday at First Congregational United Church of Christ, ...


Looking to strengthen family ties with 'sister cities'
Boston Globe, United States - 4 minutes ago
Decker said she began "taking a practical look at how the relationships are formed, how they're sustained, and how we can create mechanisms in the city that ...


Amy Schalet: On teen pregnancy, inhibitions are part of the problem
Minneapolis Star Tribune, MN - 1 hour ago
National surveys show that most Dutch parents accept that young people choose to have sex in committed relationships during their later teens. ...


IBNLive.com

Pitfalls of legalising live-in relationships
Merinews, India - Oct 10, 2008
Maharashtra government recently passed a motion to legalise live in relationships. This motion has far reaching consequences, which the government seemed to ...
It may get easier for live-in couples here The Statesman
'Indian society does not believe in live-in relationship' Daily News & Analysis
Women in live-in to be given wife's status: Maha govt IBNLive.com
Indlaw.com - Daily News & Analysis
all 6 news articles


Britain wants constructive Iceland relationships
Reuters - Oct 10, 2008
LONDON, Oct 10 (Reuters) - Britain said on Friday it had always wanted a constructive relationship with Iceland, a day after a row broke out over how to ...


Funds Looks To Rework Prime Broker Relationships
DW Online, NY - Oct 10, 2008
Fund managers are seeking to re-address the relationship with their prime brokers, when scripting over-the-counter contracts, as fears over counterparty ...


Washington Post

Students focus on personal relationships for Yom Kippur
Daily Kent Stater, OH - Oct 9, 2008
In the following 10 days, each person goes through a series of prayers and reflections exploring his or her personal relationships, according to ...
On This Holy Day, We Seek Forgiveness Richmond Times Dispatch
High Holy Days at hand Lompoc Record
Yom Kippur a time for introspection Register News
Contra Costa Times
all 119 news articles


Maharashtra to legalise live-in relationships
Times of India, India - Oct 10, 2008
This amendment would cover the interests of women involved in polygamous or live-in relationships, say officials. The only catch is that the state has not ...
Maharashtra Govt Gives Its Consent To Legalise Live-In Relationships TopNews
Maharashtra's 'Live-in' proposal gets mixed response Expressindia.com
Maharashtra to legalise live-in relationships MSN India
all 16 news articles

Relationships - Google News


Home | E-cards | Desktop Wallpaper | Contact | Relationship Articles | Privacy | Add to Favorites | Tell a Friend | Free LoveBugMail | LoveBug Store | Site Map

Copyright ©2007 LoveBugCards.com