Last week, I didn’t write a blog post. Instead, I handled a ton of family obligations, and to be honest—it felt great. It reminded me that being productive doesn’t always mean pushing out content, checking emails, or crossing off business goals. Sometimes, the most meaningful kind of productivity is making space for what really matters.
This week, we’re focusing on how to be productive in ways that prevent burnout. Let’s start by talking about relationships. In business and in life, we often chase more—more contacts, more leads, more followers. But what if the real secret to staying energized is fewer, better connections?
Here are 5 questions to ask yourself when building or evaluating relationships:
- Do I trust this person to show up when it counts? Reliability is more valuable than charm. We all know that person who means well, who overpromises, but then can't keep up - they are a positive person to have around, but keep them as your pep talk not your supporter.
- Does this connection align with my values? If you’re building something meaningful, you can’t afford to partner with people who don’t believe in the same things. We often talk about establishing your values early in this blog and in the marketing course.
- Am I giving more than I’m getting—or vice versa? The best relationships feel balanced, even if that balance shifts over time. In fact, you can often accept an imbalance if that is how your boundaries are set up from the start.
- Do I leave conversations with this person feeling drained or energized? That’s your gut trying to tell you something—listen.
- Is this relationship moving me toward my goals, or just taking up space? Time and attention are limited. Spend them wisely, there is room for both, but be aware of who is in line with your goals and who is there for fun.
CTA: Take time today to make one strong connection—someone who truly aligns with your goals and values. Whether it’s a quick coffee, a meaningful message, or a thoughtful introduction, make it count.
Tomorrow, we’ll talk about how to organize your connections to determine which ones are truly helping you grow.