Why Building Relationships is the Key to Personal and Professional Success Pick a brain

Building meaningful and authentic relationships with others is an essential aspect of personal and professional success. Numerous studies have found that social connections are essential to our overall well-being, both physically and mentally. However, people often ignore its importance in their lives. There are many reasons behind this.

First, the hectic nature of modern life can involve long work hours and various other responsibilities. As a result, people do not spend enough time developing their relationships with others.

Second, we have been spoiled by the simplicity of connecting with others through social media. This encourages us to have more connections at the expense of their quality and at the same time makes it difficult to find your crowd in the vast digital sea of ​​people.

Third, some people may not realize the importance of proper relationships in their lives. They may prefer to focus on expanding their professional network rather than deepening a narrower number of connections. After all, that’s what we’ve been taught by most success gurus.

So how can connecting with other people elevate your life?

Relationships Improve Health

In the spring of 2022, there was a wave of publications like this New York Times story about the loneliness epidemic in the United States. This has fueled discussions about the negative effects of loneliness on people. There are several studies that prove the importance of quality communication with others for our physical and mental health.

Some scientists say that loneliness is equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes a day, and that we feel less stressed when we support other people. Several studies have shown that stronger ties reduce mortality—people with better social ties live longer than those with fewer. Social relationships make for a more thoughtful approach to health because there are people who care about you and you want to be the best you can be for them.

Relationships promote personal growth

Meaningful relationships encourage us to take better care of our health as well as promote personal growth. They help us develop a stronger sense of self. When interacting with other people, we are forced to confront our own values, beliefs, and emotions. We learn to identify and express our needs and desires, and this can lead us to become more self-aware and confident. We also learn to set boundaries and assert ourselves, which are important skills for personal growth and development.

Moreover, we can choose to associate with people who encourage us to do better. Living a healthy lifestyle is easier when you are surrounded by like-minded people. It’s easier to learn a new skill if you immerse yourself in a community of like-minded people. It is well known that our social circle influences our personality, so we can elevate ourselves by building relationships with our role models.

Additionally, when we connect with other people, we are more motivated to explore the world around us. It’s easier to leave your comfort zone when you’re around others. Visiting galleries, restaurants and festivals brings more fun and joy when you have someone else going through the same experience with you. We enrich shared experiences when we discuss them with each other. Basically, other people are important to broaden our horizons.

Select connections over the network

Networking has been a buzz word for years and is often cited as the key to success in any industry. However, it is quite narrow and restrictive, as it is often a formality that does not go beyond a formal introduction, exchange of business cards, and a stern inquiry about work-related matters. It can be superficial and transactional, with little emphasis on building genuine relationships.

Building relationships involves spending time and effort getting to know people better. It is about building trust, rapport and mutual respect. One of the main reasons why relationship building is better than networking is that it allows for a more natural and organic connection, which can be more beneficial in the long run.

When you have a strong relationship with someone, you are more likely to work together effectively. You can share ideas, resources and expertise that can lead to more successful partnerships and collaborations. When you have a genuine connection with someone, they are more likely to support you in your endeavors. They will be more willing to refer you to others, provide you with opportunities, and help you achieve your goals.

Choose in person, not online

While online communication and social media can be helpful in maintaining relationships, research has shown that connecting in real life offline is critical to our well-being. A study published in the journal Computers in Human Behavior found that excessive use of social media can lead to feelings of loneliness and social isolation. In contrast, personal interaction has been found to promote feelings of connectedness and reduce feelings of loneliness. Also, there’s a study that shows people feel better when they socialize both digitally and in person than when they don’t. However, people who socialized in person felt better than those who socialized digitally.

Additionally, connecting with others in person can trigger the release of oxytocin, a hormone that promotes feelings of trust and connection. Therefore, in addition to online communication, it is important to prioritize face-to-face communication with others. This can include activities such as meeting friends for coffee or attending social events in your community. By making an effort to connect with others offline, we can improve our overall well-being and strengthen our social connections.

Relationships with others are a superpower if done thoughtfully and with an open heart. People add value to your life and help you grow as a person as well as a professional. They also bring a lot of joy and fond memories.

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Ilya Russ is the founder and managing director of the company Teleportationan ecosystem for the self-employed where you can find any type of activity on the path to self-improvement.

An international bicycle brand with its own manufacturing plant has invested in Forestal. Partner at Xplusone APP, a mobile app development company for select markets across various verticals. Partner of the legendary Spanish brand EBRO car corporation with the first electric pickup truck.

Ilya has over 15 years of experience in the technology, sports marketing and automotive industries.