Defuse the Holiday Pressure Cooker...

The 100/0 Principle The holidays are a time of joy...and a time of stress. As we spend more time with friends, extended family and co-workers this time of year, relationship challenges and unresolved issues sometimes take center stage. But Al Ritter has a solution that can transform your life for the better, both now and in the New Year. The strength of our relationships, combined with the actions we take, determine the results we achievein all domains of our lives. In his book, The 100/0 Principle, Al explains how to recognize certain relationship pitfalls, how to overcome them, and how to make every relationship great! Want to learn more? Today, I'd like to share an excerpt from Al's chapter on how The 100/0 Principle works. Today's Daily Inspiration Today's Entertainment Today's Health & Healing Click here to Learn More From The 100/0 Principle by Al Ritter  What is the most effective way to create and sustain great relationships with others? It's The 100/0 Principle: You take full responsibility (the 100) for the relationship, expecting nothing (the 0) in return. Implementing The 100/0 Principle is not natural for most of us. It takes real commitment to the relationship and a good dose of self-discipline to think, act and give 100 percent. The 100/0 Principle applies to those people in your life where the relationships are too important to react automatically or judgmentally. Each of us must determine the relationships to which this principle should apply. For most of us, it applies to work associates, customers, suppliers, family and friends. Step 1 - Determine what you can do to make the relationship work...then do it. Demonstrate respect and kindness to the other person, whether he/she deserves it or not. Step 2 - Do not expect anything in return. Zero, zip, nada. Step 3 - Do not allow anything the other person says or does (no matter how annoying) to affect you. In other words, don't take the bait. Step 4 - Be persistent with your graciousness and kindness. Often we give up too soon, especially when others don't respond in kind. Remember to expect nothing in return. At times (usually few), the relationship can remain challenging, even toxic, despite your 100 percent commitment and self-discipline. When this occurs, you need to avoid being the "Knower" and shift to being the "Learner." Avoid Knower statements/thoughts like "that won't work," "I'm right, you are wrong," "I know it and you don't," "I'll teach you," "that's just the way it is," "I need to tell you what I know," etc. Instead use Learner statements/thoughts like "Let me find out what is going on and try to understand the situation," "I could be wrong," "I wonder if there is anything of value here," "I wonder if..." etc. In other words, as a Learner, be curious! Principle Paradox This may strike you as strange, but here's the paradox: When you take authentic responsibility for a relationship, more often than not the other person quickly chooses to take responsibility as well. Consequently, the 100/0 relationship quickly transforms into something approaching 100/100. When that occurs, true breakthroughs happen for the individuals involved, their teams, their organizations, and their families. The 100/0 Principle could be the most important book you'll ever read. It also makes a terrific gift for friends, family members and employees on your team. Today, we're proud to offer The 100/0 Principle, with a DVD movie, for only $10. Our regular price is $15.95, a savings of over 37%. For more information, to look inside this great book or to watch the movie included with each copy of the book, just click here. To Great Relationships, Mac Anderson  Prayer of the Day Belief-o-Matic Inspiring Quotes Beliefnet Blogs   Change your email address: http://www.beliefnet.com/user/nl_updemail.asp Mailing Address: Beliefnet, P.O. Box 3882, Norfolk, VA 23514-3882 Unsubscribe Online: Click here to unsubscribe from this newsletter Privacy Statement: http://www.beliefnet.com/About-Us/Privacy-Policy.aspx Copyright 2011 Beliefnet, Inc. All rights reserved.