Building Relationships, Commitment, And Love - K Is For...

We continue our series on how to build interpersonal relationships, whether with family, coworkers, friends, or that special someone.

Commitment and love are important to all of us; they are worth fighting for; they are worth working for. You also should know that in spite of many promises there is no secret for success, no checklist of things to do, and just as importantly no checklist of things not to do. But we do have suggestions, now continuing with the letter K. The focus is on keen, key, kid, and kind.

K is for keen. Be a go-getter. Don’t take on work or family tasks in a half-hearted manner. Don’t let the grass grow under your feet. Show some enthusiasm. There is always a challenge to do things better. I am under the impression that the Japanese spend time and energy improving products and their production throughout the entire product life. They don’t just sit back and let things roll. They are keen. And this quality has gotten them somewhere over the decades.

What a keen place, Barrier Dunes, Florida.

K is for key. Put yourself at the center of the action. If things can’t happen without you, there’s a good chance for a promotion. At least you are likely to keep your job, an important consideration in the present economy. Don’t forget key is a relatively small item that opens a great big door or a small safe.

K is for kid. Have you ever heard the 1962 hit song by Marcie Blane: “You’re Not A Kid Anymore?” Actually that line was the chorus, the title was “I Want To Be Bobby’s Girl.” Anyway, you’re not a kid anymore. But that shouldn’t stop you from kidding around, once in a while. Don’t overdo it. In 1962 they didn’t talk much about workplace harassment. Today they do. And they aren’t kidding.

Be kind, and not only to your web-footed friends.

K is for kind. Yes, even in this day and age of knavery and boorishness, kindness counts. There is something very satisfying about doing a good deed. For example, give up your place in the elevator line to someone who has trouble waiting. There will be another elevator real soon. In the meantime you can glow inside while you are reviewing the Karsen contract. Kindness sometimes pays off. Notice, however, that my example used an elevator rather than a bus. The way things work today if you cede your seat at the beginning of your bus ride you probably won’t get to sit down again during the trip. Kindness does not always pay off, except for the inner pleasure of knowing that you did the right thing.