Are You A 1%’er?

If anyone ever told you building relationships with people is easy, they were mistaken. Building relationships is hard work and requires intention. And sometimes people don’t want to get along with you regardless of how hard you try.

But, what if I told you there is always a way to connect if you’re willing to work at it. And this required you to check your ego, have a little humility, and listen to the other person. Would you be willing? If you are here you go.

Find one thing you have in common or a common goal you want to achieve and give it 100% of your attention. Don’t focus on the other noise or distractions that could derail the process because if you do, it will. This is how to become a 1%’er.

The three ways to be a 1%’er.

1.   Difficult Times. The reason this one is first is because it is the most challenging. When the going gets tough its human nature to get fixated on the problem or person, and that’s why we must learn to step back to try and see the problem from a different perspective. Is it tough? Absolutely!

Remember, happy people don’t have the best of everything, they have just learned to make the best of everything. And I’m talking to myself here as well.

2.   The Things We Value are extremely important to us for one reason or another. It could be the way we were raised or it connects us with a special time in the past.

Even during times when we feel challenged because someone disagrees with one of our values, this is a perfect time to find the 1% on focus on it. If we can’t we might miss out on a potentially great opportunity or friendship.

3.   Building Change That Lasts. The goal in this area is to create change where both people agree. If you initially try to create change in areas where you disagree it will be almost impossible.

Start in an area where you have common ground. The 1%. After you have had success in this area a few times it will be much easier to tackle change in areas where you don’t always agree. Plus, the other person will be more open-minded because your relationship has grown and developed.

The hallmark of becoming a 1%’er is humility. Without it this might not be possible.

Questions:

How often do you get fixated on problems? Excluding honesty and integrity, are there areas where you would be willing to focus on the 1% with someone else? When was the last time you created change? I would love to hear your responses on Facebook, LinkedIn, or Twitter.