It's easy to stay in relationships that are bad for you.
Are the people you're surrounding yourself with empowering you? Is your support network really a support network? Don't surround yourself with bad connections, and don't put up with horrible communication.
There are two types of coaches.
The first coach was a coach that always told me I was doing something wrong. I'd fix my errors and as soon as that was done, he'd acknowledge what I'd fixed, then find another problem. The first kind of coach is uncompromising, full of tough love, and not afraid of giving criticism where criticism is due.
The first kind of coach would say, "You're good, Trent. But I want you to be great."
The second kind of coach wouldn't give me that tough love, and wouldn't push me as hard as I needed to be pushed. The second kind of coach wouldn't never stop trying, because he'd be more worried about stepping on toes than failing on the field.
Obviously, you want the first kind of coach.
Let me tell you something: If you are surrounded by people who can't critique you or help you become a truly better person, you are wasting your time. The people who genuinely care about you, the ones you should keep in your life, are the ones more invested in your long-term success than your immediate feelings. The people you should surround yourself with are the people who are unafraid to be real with you.
The two things you need to do to foster those valuable connections are simple, but they require consistent effort. I promise you that if you can put in the work to build excellent relationships, you will be able to set up the groundwork you need to succeed.
The first thing you need to do to foster an empowering connection, whether it be with a friend, family member, or significant other; is acknowledge. Acknowledge the people in your life, and let them know how much you appreciate them and how much you appreciate the sacrifices they're making for you.
The second thing you need to do is provide reassurance. Let the people who are important to you know how crucial their vision is to the world. Show them why the world needs them, and do your best to understand what they're trying to do in life. Show the people who matter love, and be conscious of when they need you. Show those people their greatness, and show them that you see their potential.
The world needs more positive thinkers, and each of us has the potential to make earth a better place to live.
It all starts with you.
