Respect & Sympathy

Today was my birthday.

I was going to give myself a present and not post about anything today at all... But then I thought....

All my life one of the most important things I've wanted was just some respect and sympathy.

It seems that I have never gotten it... Well, enough to satisfy me. I've done some pretty wild things and accomplished some pretty amazing things too... But they are not the kinds of things that generally get respect in our society. Nor do they get sympathy.

I mean, I've never been the CEO of a large airlines or the country manager of a big company. So I don't get respect...I've been an independent kind of guy, doing independent things all my life. It's best for me that way... I hate having a boss.... But that doesn't gain me sympathy, either.

Wanting respect and sympathy is something that is wanted by not just me, but by everyone. There is not a person amongst us who feels that they get the respect not sympathy that they deserve.

Do yourself a favor. Next time someone around you does something that you think is small or minor, instead of pointing out faults, why don't you point out good things? What is important to you may not be important to them.

Like Dale Carnagie writes in "How to Win Friends and Influence People":

"Three fourths of the people you will ever meet are hungering and thirsting for sympathy. Give it to them and they will love you."

Show people that you care for them. That shows them that you respect them too.

Respect your partner. Respect yourself. There is no substitute for total dedication.

A few days ago, I wrote a short blog on the importance of choosing your partners carefully. You can read that blog here.


I received a lot of great comments and one causes me to make this short addition today.


When you choose a business partner, it is like choosing a marriage partner. You must take that partner, good parts and bad, warts and all. 

ARETHA FRANKLIN - RESPECT

It takes much dedication to make marriage work, whether it is between a man and a woman or between business partners. Dedication requires respect. That means respect for yourself and respect for your partner.


To paraphrase what a reader wrote: "To find and make a partnership (or marriage) is good. Getting a divorce is okay. Having an affair is a mistake, but, polygamy is an absolute 'no-no!'"

If you expect that your partner is going to stick with you through thick and thin, then you must realize that they will desire and expect the same from you.


This takes complete and total dedication. In today's market, with jobs getting tougher and tougher to come by, your company and your partners deserve your total dedication.


If you won't dedicate yourself, there are plenty of others who will gladly take your place.


Why should your partner accept a half a loaf of bread from you when someone else will provide a full loaf? 


Respect your partner. Respect yourself. There is no substitute for total dedication.




Thanks to Michael Hegedus