This week, we are striving for excellence.  Today, we are concentrating on Excellence as it relates to our relationships, especially our family relationships (which I’ve found to be the most challenging type, since you didn’t pick them and they didn’t pick you!)

“To do the right thing, at the right time, in the right way; to know both sides of the argument, to be courteous; to be an example; to anticipate needs; to recognize no impediments; to master circumstance; to act from reason…”  Marshall Field

“Here is the simple but powerful rule…always give people more than they expect to get.”  Napoleon Hill

I’m a giver.  I always try to give more value in any relationship than I get back.  Those of us who are givers don’t know any other way and are often blind-sided when we unknowingly enter into a relationship with a “taker”.   If you are a “taker”, it’s going to be very difficult for you to reach Excellence in your relationships (family and business).  Oh, you might acquire a decent amount of money along the way, but it’s going to be a pain filled life with a lot of suffering.  Both by you and the people in your life from whom you take.

I’ve been burned plenty by takers, even by those as close as family.  I’ve never stopped being a giver, but I am more cautious these days about the relationships I enter.  Excellence in relationships is reached when both parties are givers.  You can’t chose your family but you can structure the relationship so that it’s not a one way “take-fest”.  If you find yourself there, stop being manipulated by guilt and love them from a greater distance.

Boo yah!