Cathy's blog

Connecting with new people isn’t always easy.

Hell, even genuinely connecting with people you know can be a challenge. Especially as introverts, we need time, space, and safety to open up to people.

And I know that I have used many excuses to keep myself from doing that.

• Yeah, but they don’t know me.
• What if they’re not interested?
• I’ll just wait and see.

I always tell my corporate clients (who tend to manage substantial teams) “To learn how to work together... You need to work together!”

By which I mean that there is no magic wand alternative, you really have to connect with intention.

No team-building activity (can I get a YUK from all my fellow introverts?😂), no water cooler or coffee machine chat will ever be a valid alternative for taking the time to sit around the (virtual Zoom) table and work together towards your goals.

And the same is true in any relationship.

To have great friends, you have to be a great friend.
To have a wonderful relationship, you have to be a wonderful partner.

In my opinion, these things should all be verbs.

We’re all...

friend-ing
husband-ing
wife-ing

...every day. The same way we’re parenting or working.

Being in any kind of relationship means you need to put in the work.

Because you want it. Because you like and value the other person. Because you deserve great relationships.

Not because you expect something from someone else.

So all excuses aside, how will you relationship (verb) today? 😉