A Kick in the Attitude: An Energizing Approach to Recharge your Team, Work, and Life

Chapter 14. A Kick in the Attitude Principle #12: The Strength of the Wolf Is in the Pack and the Strength of the Pack Is in the Wolf

No one succeeds alone.

—Ray Kroc, founder of McDonald's

A friend of mine once invited me to dinner, and asked me how I would describe my perfect day. I didn't have to think long. "I would spend the entire day with all my friends and family, including the dysfunctional ones because every party needs entertainment—hence me."

Then it hit me. My perfect day boils down to one word, "relationships." Without meaningful relationships, your life suffers in emptiness. A positive relationship is one that gives us life and a heart of gratefulness.

Little Things Count Big

Identify the relationships that are most meaningful to you— family, friends, and colleagues.

If each relationship was a plant, what state would the plant be in? Think about what you do to contribute to the relationships that you value.

Little things that count big are:

1. Spending quality time counts big. It can be time listening, laughing, sharing, whatever grows life into the relationship. The biggest regret people have when they lose someone is, "I wish I had spent more time with him." We can't spend all the time doing what we want, so invest in the growth of the relationship by doing something the other person wants to do. Be in the moment and apply the time as a small thing that counts big. Remember, actions speak louder than words.

2. Small acts of generosity count big. A healthy focus of a positive relationship ...