Posted by :Hussein Adamally
There is a simple formula that can you can use to analyze and improve many relationships in your life. Whether it’s your relationship with your spouse, your children, your siblings or your friends, understanding this Relationship Formula can provide you with a simple but powerful way to develop a stronger bond.The Relationship Formula
The symbol that looks a little like a fish means ‘is directly proportional to’.Therefore, the Relationship Formula reads:
“The strength of your relationship to another person is directly proportional to the quality and quantity of your shared experiences.
When you see someone regularly and share high quality experiences together, your relationship will inevitably become stronger. Conversely if you do not see someone regularly or the quality of your shared experiences is poor, over time the strength of your relationship will decline.
Let’s take a look at an example to see how the Relationship Formula can be applied in the real world.
Karen and her mother had always been close but after Karen moved to a different suburb for a new job they found it difficult to catch up with one another. Although they tried to stay in touch by phone, as time passed, they both realized that they were slowly drifting apart.
When Karen heard about the Relationship Formula, she immediately recognized that both the quality and the quantity of her shared experiences with her mom had decreased significantly and that their relationship had suffered as a result.
Based on this insight, Karen resolved to find a way to increase the quality and quantity of the time she spent with her mom.
As a child, Karen loved to curl up on her mother’s lap and watch the Sunday afternoon movie. So when she heard that the cinema in her old home town had started a monthly movie club, she decided that this would be the perfect experience for her and her mom to share.
Once a month, Karen drove home and picked up her mom before heading to the cinema to watch whatever movie the club had organized. They would often have a bite to eat beforehand and always stopped off for a coffee and chat after the movie.
By sharing this regular and enjoyable experience, Karen and her mom reconnected in a very special way.
Many years later when Karen’s mom passed away, Karen often looked back on these movie afternoons as one of the best things she ever did.
Today I’d like to ask if there is someone in your life who you’d like to reconnect with or with whom you’d like to build a stronger relationship. If there is, then I’d encourage you to use the Relationship Formula by following these simple steps:
(1) Identify an experience that you both enjoy. This could involve playing sport, watching a DVD or anything else that you are both interested in.
(2) Schedule a regular time to catch up and share the experience together. For example, you might decide to catch up on the first Saturday of each month to play squash.
By consciously deciding who you want to spend time with and applying the Relationship Formula, you can take a positive step towards developing a strong relationship that will enrich your life for many years to come.
