Invest Time in Relationships

What makes you feel more excited: anticipating dinner with your best friend, or finally getting that new smartphone app you’ve heard so much about?

Technology is a powerful tool, and you can either use it to keep your distance from other people or facilitate stronger connections with them. It should never be subservient to the relationships you foster with friends, family, your team members, and clients—even though we’re all constantly bombarded with new ways to electronically communicate: email, text message, Facebook, instant message, Facetime, Skype, and probably many more in the near future.

These easy means of communication are often utilized in place of personal, one-on-one contact. So we are increasingly forging more fleeting electronic relationships and fewer genuine personal relationships—which can lead to a sense of social isolation.

E-confusion

Have you ever used electronic communication to avoid an in-person confrontation?  It seems like a good idea in theory, as we can spend time rewriting and editing our point of view before we send the message.

But many times these written messages just lead to confusion, as the written words are unable to convey emotions and thoughts as accurately as talking in person, face to face. It’s so easy to press “send” or “post,” but the ensuing confusion is often more difficult to deal with than looking someone in the eye and discussing things carefully. It takes more sophisticated interpersonal skills to deal with an issue in person, but these skills are definitely worth learning and building on. Of course, many companies, sectors and industries have relocated to other parts of the world, which means you have to work harder at communicating effectively with colleagues on different continents. 

The best plan is to take advantage of the efficiency and speed of electronic communication, while always choosing the best way to craft the content of your message.

Outmoded systems

Many people feel that to thrive in today’s business world, they need to become expert at the next great piece of technology—such as a new purchase order system or a new accounting system. Then by the time they’ve mastered it, a new system has come along, or the system is updated and they’re back to the drawing board learning something new. Sometimes these new systems become so robust they end up replacing entire businesses or industries. Therefore, if we can position our businesses in areas that are mainly focused on interacting with people, creating value, and creative thinking, we will have a lot more longevity than if we specialize in a specific product or system.

Relationships always in style

No matter what direction technology takes, people and businesses will always have challenges and problems to solve. As Dan Sullivan says, “Microtechnology, no matter how fast and powerful, will never replace two uniquely human capabilities: the ability to create infinite number of new things, and the ability to relate to other human beings in an infinite number of new ways.”

To be well positioned for growth, align your business with this approach. Take the best of technology and use it to your advantage for its greatest features. Just remember that your most valuable investment is in relationships. They never seem to fall out of style!

In the event you need additional assistance in simplifying your life, we have developed a free report that identifies implementable tips that you can act on immediately to begin simplifying your life.  Visit www.simpleplanreport.com to download today!

Have a fantastic day and always remember to keep things simple!

Mark Landers is the creator of The Simple Plan Program and has been helping entrepreneurs simplify their lives for over 10 years.  He can be reached at Mark R. Landers, CFP CHS, The Northridge Financial Group Ltd. at 416.705.6640 or mark@nrfg.ca.