"Personal relationships are the fertile soil from which all advancement, all success, all achievement in real life grows."
~ Ben Stein
I just spent two days with my best buddy, Chad.
I had been on the road for nearly 4 weeks straight. Flown somewhere around 25,000 miles. Coast to coast, north and south, international, and points beyond.
I needed a break.
Chad and I are like brothers. Maybe better than brothers.
We started out as colleagues and became fast friends nearly two decades ago.
It’s like we’ve always known each other.
We’ve been through a lot together. Dark days and bright moments.
He makes me better.
We had an amazing day on the golf course. Good shots and bad ones.
We laughed. A lot.
We picked up right where we’d left off.
Just like always.
Friendships are important. The people we surround ourselves with have a direct impact on the results we achieve and who we become.
They can push us to new heights.
Or drag us down and hold us back.
They can challenge and encourage us.
Push us to dig deeper.
I’ve heard people say, “my real friends accept me as I am.”
Those aren’t your real friends.
Real friends will love you as you are BUT hold you to a standard of who you can become.
I believe there is an ART to friendship.
A - Great friends will AMPLIFY your gifts. They will draw out more in you. When Chad and I collaborate he makes my work better, funnier, and more impactful.
R - A meaningful friendship is built in mutual RESPECT. Relationships take work. They require intentionality and thoughtfulness. Far too many take their most important relationships for granted. Great friends remind you through their words and actions how much you matter to them.
T - The best friends you will ever have make TIME for you. Even in the busiest of lives and craziest of times, they will find ways to spend quality time together. My buddy Chad was here less than 48 hours. But we squeezed every ounce we could out of those hours. From early morning coffee and conversation to nightcaps and late night laughs. We were present and in the moment.
I want to encourage you to savor the moments with the people who matter the most to you. This is where you find energy, comfort, encouragement, and hope.
We need friendships that move us and make us better.
Reach out to someone this week and let them know you love them. Schedule a time to get together and catch up. Send them a note.
Surprise them in a fun way.
When you master the ART of friendship you can turn the crazy life we live into a beautiful masterpiece.
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Kevin D. Brown is a branding and culture expert. He’s an award-winning motivational speaker, bestselling author, and the creator of The Hero Effect®. Follow him on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.