Category Archives: Relationships

Nurture the relationships that nourish you

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Nurture the relationships that nourish you. They are the best defense against loneliness.

—Calm App Reflection

Image from Unsplash by Chang Duong

Life’s richest nourishment rarely comes from food or fame — it comes from connection.

  • The quiet friend who checks on you
  • The colleague who makes you laugh when you can’t
  • The neighbor who remembers your name

These people are your emotional vitamins, guarding your heart from the hunger of loneliness. Yet relationships, like gardens, whither without care.

So: call first, forgive faster, listen longer.

In a world obsessed with independence, real strength lies in interdependence — the gentle give-and-take that reminds us we belong.

When you nurture the bonds that feed your soul, you’re not just avoiding loneliness — you’re cultivating joy, meaning, and warmth that solitude can never replace.

EXERCISE:

Here are a few books that can help enhance your connection skills and reduce loneliness for an even more fulfilling life:

How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
The 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman
Together: The Healing Power of Human Connection in a Sometimes-Lonely World by Uvek H. Murthy

Motivation comes from working on things we care about

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“Motivation comes from working on things we care about. It also comes from working with people we care about.”

—Laura Berman Fortgang, Coach and Leadership Author

Image from Unsplash by Mika Baumeister

True motivation springs from the heart — when we engage in work that truly matters to us and collaborate with people we respect and care about.

This powerful combination fuels passion, persistence, and joy in what we do. When tasks align with our values and we share the journey with supportive colleagues or friends, motivation becomes an unstoppable force, making challenges feel like opportunities rather than obstacles.

To cultivate this energy, seek projects that resonate deeply and nurture relationships built on trust and encouragement.

By focusing on meaningful work and authentic connections, motivation naturally follows, inspiring us to reach higher and sustain our efforts. Ultimately, caring transforms work from a chore into a fulfilling and energizing experience.

EXERCISE:

Laura Berman Fortgang is a well-respected coach and author specializing in leadership, career development, and personal growth. You can learn more about her and her work at www.laurabermanfortgang.com

Three secrets to success Be willing to learn

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“Three secrets to success: Be willing to learn new things. Be able to assimilate new information quickly. Be able to get along and work with other people.”

—Sally Ride, Late American Astronaut and Physicist

Image from nasa.gov

The late trailblazing astronaut Sally Ride offers three timeless keys to success:

  1. Be willing to learn new things. Curiosity keeps us vital and ahead of the curve.
  2. Be able to assimilate new information quickly. The world moves fast: adapt or be left behind.
  3. Be able to get along with and work with other people. No breakthrough happens in a vacuum; relationships fuel greatness.

EXERCISE:

How can you more fully embrace learning new things, assimilate new information quickly, and nurture teamwork in your world, to rocket your life to new heights?

There is a difference between knowing the path and walking the path

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“There is a difference between knowing the path and walking the path.”

—Morpheus, in The Matrix

Image from Unsplash by Emma Simpson

Our quote today — from Morpheus in The Matrix — reminds us that understanding what needs to be done is not the same as actually doing it.

In life, we often gather knowledge, read books, and plan our journeys, but true growth comes from action.

Walking the path means embracing challenges, making mistakes, and learning through experience. It’s about courage and commitment, not just intention.

Whether it’s improving your health, growing your business, or deepening relationships, real change happens when you step forward and live your values.

Don’t just know your path — walk it, one step at a time, and watch your life blossom along your way.

EXERCISE:

In what ways does today’s quote challenge your approach to overcoming obstacles?

How can and will you use this insight to stay motivated and in action during difficult times?

Who are the people who are always around

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Who are the people who are always around and who are the ones that are always there for you?

—Calm App Reflection

Image from Unsplash by Windows

The people always around might be colleagues, acquaintances, or neighbors — those who cross your path in daily life. They fill the spaces, but don’t always fill your heart.

The ones always there for you, however, are your true support. They show up in moments of joy and challenge, offering encouragement, a listening ear, or a helping hand.

These are the friends, family members, and mentors who invest in your well-being. Nurture these relationships, and be that steadfast presence for them in return.

EXERCISE:

Reflect on the people in your life that are always there for you. How many of these people — or others in your communities — would put you on their list?

Learning to ask the right questions

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Learning to ask yourself and others the right questions is useful in many ways. Using “what” before “why” is a great place to start.

—Calm App Reflection

Image from Unsplash by Vadim Bogulov

Learning to ask yourself and others the right questions is a powerful skill that can transform your thinking, relationships, and problem-solving abilities.

One effective approach is to start with “what” questions before jumping to “why.”

Asking What happened? or What can I do differently? encourages open-minded exploration and practical solutions.

“Why” questions, while sometimes useful, can feel accusatory or lead to defensiveness.

“What” questions, on the other hand, foster curiosity and clarity, helping you understand situations more deeply and objectively. Whether you’re reflecting on your own actions or working with a team, starting with “What” sets a constructive tone for growth and progress.

EXERCISE:

How can asking better questions improve your relationships and decision-making skills? How would mastering the art of questioning unlock new opportunities and insights in your life?

Two of my favorite books on this subject are “A More Beautiful Question” by Warren Berger, and “The Coaching Habit” by Michael Bungay Stanier.

Family, friends, or phone. Which one is your top priority?

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Family, friends, or phone. Which one is your top priority?

—Calm App Reflection

Image from Unsplash by Slavcho Malezan

Today’s quote challenges us to reflect on our true connections.

While our smartphones seem to keep us constantly connected, they can often create distance from the people who matter most.

Prioritizing meaningful relationships over screen time fosters deeper bonds, emotional support, and lasting memories.

It’s easy to be distracted by notifications, but real-life interactions nourish our well-being in ways a phone never can.

EXERCISE:

To what degree are you hugging your phone more often than family and friends?

What strategies can and will you put in place to show these important people that they come first?

“Being in the same room with people and creating something together is a good thing.”

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“Being in the same room with people and creating something together is a good thing.”

—Robin Williams, late American actor and comedian

Image from Unsplash by Clay Banks

In today’s digital age, remote collaboration is common, but nothing quite matches the energy of being in the same room with others.

When people gather physically, ideas flow more freely, creativity sparks, and connections deepen.

Shared spaces foster spontaneous conversations, rapid problem solving, and genuine teamwork that virtual meetings often lack.

Being together allows for immediate feedback, body language cues, and a sense of camaraderie that fuels motivation.

Handshakes, knowing smiles, and embraces to celebrate successes also do much to build and keep our tribes working together.

EXERCISE:

Consider reading The Culture Code: The Secrets of Highly Successful Groups by Daniel Coyle to enhance group collaboration and create more good things in your communities.

“Does the other person want to be helped, hugged, or heard?”

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“Does the other person want to be helped, hugged, or heard?”

—Charles Duhigg, American journalist and non-fiction author

Image from Unsplash by Justin Follis

This quote was brought to my attention by Rohan Rajiv, who has been writing the wonderful daily blog “A Learning a Day” for over 16 years.

Since most of us are in conversations throughout our days, I found this question to be an excellent framework to enhance my many relationships — including in my work as a coach.

If we determine that an individual is seeking to be helped, they are most likely seeking advice and solutions to specific problems with concrete actions.

The people in our lives looking for hugs emphasize the desire for social connections, validation, and sense of love and belonging.

Although we all like to be heard, these folks in particular have a strong need to be understood and want to be supported emotionally without being offered direct advice and solutions.

EXERCISE:

In what ways can you keep Duhigg’s question in mind as you interact with the people in your professional and personal communities? How clear are you about your own wants and needs to be helped, hugged, and heard?

“Innovation happens not within but between brains.”

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“Innovation happens not within but between brains.”

—Matt Ridley, British science writer, journalist and businessman

Image from Unsplash by Brooke Cagle

Today’s quote encapsulates Ridley’s views on collective intelligence and the collaborative nature of innovation. It emphasizes that innovation is not primarily the result of individual genius, but rather a product of human interaction and the exchange of ideas.

How often do you find yourself working alone, wracking your brain to solve a particular problem?

How frequently do you feel that if you seek or accept assistance from others your achievements are less worthy of recognition?

EXERCISE:

Where and how can you tap into many more brains within your personal and professional communities to accomplish far more than going it alone?  Remember that even the Lone Ranger had Tonto!