11 Tips for Creating and Maintaining Meaningful Relationships

Some people seem to attract others like moths to a flame. Some of us struggle to attract and keep people in our social circle. There are many simple tips that anyone can implement to increase the number of meaningful relationships they enjoy in life.

By ensuring that people feel good in your presence and maintaining a positive attitude, you’ve already won half the battle.

Create and maintain meaningful relationships:

1. Make people feel like a million bucks. The way people feel about you is a reflection of how you make them feel. If someone feels interesting, confident, and capable when you’re around, they’re going to like you. If they feel insignificant, unintelligent, and anxious around you, the opposite occurs.

• Ask yourself why you like the people you like. Then ask yourself why you dislike the people you dislike. You can learn a lot this way.

2. Be a great listener. One of the simplest ways to make others feel important is to give them your full attention. Keep your focus on the other person and listen to the best of your ability.

3. Be reliable. We treasure those we can count on. Be on time. Keep your word. If you say you’re going to do something, do it. Be that person that we all respect.

4. Maintain regular communication. Relationships fall apart without regular communication. The level of comfort and familiarity drop over time if you go too long without speaking to each other. At least once a month, pick up the phone and maintain contact. It can be work, but the rewards are worth the effort.

5. Be open. Most of the communication that occurs between people is boring and frivolous. Forget about the weather as a topic. Share something interesting and encourage the other person to do the same.

6. Find mutual ground. Determine what you have in common and put your energy into that. You might only have 5% in common with someone else, but that can be enough to build a strong and meaningful friendship. Put 100% of your effort into that 5%.

7. Help them succeed. What’s important to the other person? Help them succeed at whatever it is.

8. Be positive. We all secretly like that person that always seems to be in a good mood. We all dislike that person that’s always in a foul mood. Be a ray of sunshine for everyone you meet.

9. Compliment others. Giving too many compliments can be counterproductive, but the occasional, sincere compliment is always appreciated. Compliments are even more powerful if given in front of others.

10. Share experiences. You always feel close to that person that you’ve shared experiences with, even negative experiences. Make an effort to spend time together doing something meaningful, and hopefully, positive. It can be as simple as going to the State Fair, eating cotton candy, and riding the Ferris wheel. Neither of you will ever forget it.

11. Ask questions. People enjoy talking about themselves, and it makes them feel important. Ask a few questions about their day, their life, or their hopes and dreams.

It can be that easy. Show a sincere interest in others, be open, maintain regular contact, and focus on making the other person feel good about themselves. Be wary of giving “constructive criticism.” While you may have the best of intentions, negative comments can weaken relationships.

There’s no need to sit back and be upset about the lack of meaningful relationships in your life. Now you know how to enhance your social life and your relationships!