The Relationship That Determines Your Success (or Failure)

The Most Important Relationship You’re Probably Neglecting

You’ve mastered your career. You know how to hit goals, close deals, and make things happen.

But when was the last time you checked in on the relationship that affects every part of your life?

The one that determines your success, your happiness, and your ability to create meaningful connections?

If you don’t nurture this relationship, everything else—your business, your relationships, and even your health—suffers.

I’m talking about the relationship with yourself.

High achievers often operate on autopilot. You push through, focus on external wins, and tell yourself that self-care, deep reflection, and personal alignment can wait. But here’s the hard truth: The way you treat yourself sets the standard for how you engage with the world.

If you neglect yourself, you unconsciously invite neglect in other areas of your life. If you criticize yourself constantly, you create an environment where external criticism feels normal. If you lack self-trust, you second-guess decisions, sabotage relationships, and miss out on massive opportunities.

This isn’t your fault. Society conditions us to believe that success comes from external achievements. We’re taught that putting ourselves first is selfish. But neuroscience tells a different story: The stronger your internal foundation, the more sustainable your external success becomes.

Your brain is wired for pattern recognition. If you consistently ignore your own needs, your neural pathways reinforce that neglect, making it harder to prioritize yourself in the future. The good news? Neural plasticity means you can rewire these patterns at any time.

One study from the University of California found that individuals who actively practiced self-compassion showed higher resilience, better decision-making, and stronger relationships. Why? Because self-trust creates cognitive flexibility, allowing you to adapt, connect, and lead more effectively.

What's The Solution:

The first step to transforming your external world is mastering your internal dialogue. Try this:

• Pause and reflect: What is the dominant narrative you tell yourself daily? Is it empowering or limiting?
• Reframe: Each time you catch a negative thought, ask yourself, “Would I say this to my closest friend?” If not, rewrite it into something supportive.
• Rebuild trust: Make one small promise to yourself today—and keep it. This could be as simple as taking a five-minute break when you need it or drinking water when you say you will.
• Hire A Life Coach: Creating a relationship with yourself is not something you were taught in school so hire an expert who can guide you and set you up for success.

Today's Challenge for You:

Identify one way you’ve been neglecting your relationship with yourself. Is it through overworking? Ignoring your emotions? Dismissing your own needs? Write it down. Now, commit to one small action today to shift that pattern.

Conclusion: Your success is a direct reflection of your relationship with yourself. Strengthen that, and everything else will follow.

You deserve to thrive—not just in your business, but in your entire life. Let’s make it happen together.

“The most powerful relationship you will ever have is the relationship with yourself.” — Steve Maraboli

Feeling inspired? Share this with someone who needs it. Ready to align your success with meaningful relationships? Let’s talk—book a consultation today!

All the love from me to you,

Harmony Woodington Executive Relationship Coach

About the Author:

Harmony Woodington is an Executive Neuroscience Coach and Relationship Expert, helping high-achieving professionals transform workplace dynamics through neuroscience, emotional intelligence, and strategic communication. With over a decade of experience, she empowers leaders to resolve conflicts, set boundaries, and build high-performing relationships that drive success. If you’re ready to break free from toxic environments and create lasting, meaningful connections, Harmony provides the tools to make it happen.