Trust, Abundance and Success

Building relationships comes down to two words: trust and abundance.

When you trust others you are willing to put yourself out there -- to give with no expectation of return, to act in a non quid pro quo manner. In a recent article, I pointed out that while there is nothing wrong with returning the favor when someone does you a good turn, waiting for others to help you is not a good idea when it comes to building relationships. Successful people are willing to put themselves out there -- to pay it forward.

Paying it forward takes trust. Trust in yourself to do for others with no guarantee of return. Trust in others in that they won't take advantage of you. Trust in the universe in that the good you put out will come back to you in unexpected ways. Trust is the glue that holds relationships together. The more you demonstrate trust in others, the more they will trust you.

Abundance is also important in building relationships. People who come from an abundance mentality see life as a non-zero sum game; a perspective that holds that we can all be winners in the game of life. They realize that there is enough for all of us -- enough money, recognition, success, the things that people who come from a scarcity mentality see as in short supply. People who come from a scarcity mentality see life as a zero sum game; if you win, I have to lose and vice versa.

I choose trust and abundance because I have seen them work in the real world. What do you choose -- trust and abundance, or mistrust and scarcity? The choice you make can have a huge impact on your ability to build relationships.

The common sense point here is simple. Successful people are competent at building strong, mutually beneficial relationships with the important people in their lives. A trusting attitude and abundance mentality are the best way to build relationships. When you trust yourself, others and the universe, you will approach life from an abundance mentality. You'll be willing to give of yourself with no expectation of direct return. This world view will make it easier for you to build and maintain the relationships that will help you create the successful life and career you want and deserve.