The 3 Principles of a Meaningful and Purposeful Relationship
This article is about the qualities that are required to create a meaningful and purposeful relationship in your life to ensure that you are not taken for granted and you are both getting the best out of each other.
Relationships are like the string of a bow.
Too much tension or wound too tight, the bow will snap.
Too little tension or tied too loose, the bow will not produce any meaningful trajectory.
We want to find the right amount of tension. The tension that challenges our relationships so they are tight and meaningful with one another.
There are some key qualities to a relationship that must be present for it to be meaningful and purposeful.
What Kind of Relationships
Keep in mind, when I refer to relationships, this refers to all forms of relationship from romantic partner-romantic partner, parent-kid, friend-friend, business partner-business partner…
All forms of relationships are important because they all provide different values. Therefore, they should all be respected in their own way. Here are 3 guiding principles to help you create meaning and purpose in your relationships.
They are called the ‘3 V’s’.
The 3 V’s
Value
Value is the what you provide one another. Having one person drag the tail of the relationship is not going to be productive and healthy for any relationship. Both sides of the coin have to be worthy of one another. However, at times one side will carry the other half of the relationship, but it also means that the coin will flip and the value will be compensated.
Values
The relationship must be aligned by similar values. The values of the relationships are never going to be completely identical, but they should both be on the same path.
If you both don’t have similar values, for example, honesty, trust, growth… the relationship will not be nourished in the right manner and will break down.
Valued
A level of respect and gratitude for one another. To be a high-functioning, trustworthy relationship, both parties must feel like they are valued.
If one person doesn’t feel valued, like any undervalued employee, they will not feel loved, deserving or appreciated and will often leave at the drop of the first big challenge.
This is why it’s important to always show gratitude and be appreciation towards one another.
It goes deeper than you think
If we are able to display the 3 V’s to one another, it provides the right examples for other around us including our kids.
If they can see first-hand how a relationship functions (as opposed to only being told). It will ultimately be the best thing you can do to get them to be the best version of themselves and to create a happy, healthy and purposeful tribe.
One Thing You Can Do
Do a relationship check-in.
Ask yourself; what are you grateful for about the relationship? Do you feel valued? Do you feel like you show them that you are valued?
There are many more questions you can ask but let’s start with these.
Practicing these simples check-ins will ensure that you are setting the right examples for relationships and boundaries in your life for your kids to role off.
If you want to find out the essentials for family health and happiness, read this article; The 3 Essentials for Your Family Health.
Until next time,
