Archana Malhotra

Can you remember the last time you expressed genuine gratitude or wrote a loving note for your partner?

Expressing gratitude to your loved ones will help you build better connections, making you happier in your relationships. Couples who express gratitude spend good times together and grow together.

Appreciation, Approval, Admiration and Attention are its 4 main pillars. You can build up these pillars by doing the following:

✔️ Pay attention and notice good things, even amidst stress.
✔️ Introspect and express them to yourself first so that you believe them from the heart.
✔️ Be vocal to your partner about the things you are grateful for.
✔️ Sometimes you can write an appreciation note to acknowledge them as well.
✔️ Compliment your partner often (try and make it a 1:6 ratio between criticism and compliments)
✔️ Make an effort to do something your partner enjoys even if it’s going for a coffee.
✔️ Listen to their feelings and acknowledge emotions to make them feel heard.
✔️ You can also create yourself or buy affordable gifts occasionally to show you care.

The same set of rules apply to both partners. When you are grateful for all the little things, you value your partner more for what they bring to your life rather than the frustration caused by their actions. This helps bring in more kindness and care for each other, setting a strong base to flourish and strengthen bonds and relationships.

Trust is the basis of every successful relationship, be it personal or professional and it builds up when there is mutual respect, honesty, and psychological safety.

According to a PWC report, 55% CEOs think lack of trust is detrimental to organisational growth, which happens only when employees feel safe in their jobs.

To help foster that environment and a true sense of belonging:

✔️ Focus on the Individual, not just the work- Organisations are the people they employ. It’s important to understand the need of each employee for them to trust you and each other. Some primarily need a safe and respectful environment to work in while others are hard focussed on facts and figures.
✔️ Set the right expectations- whether it is quality of work, respectful interactions with clients or professional behaviour at work, it is important to set the required standards to avoid any conflict.
✔️ Be Honest- Keep your commitments to employees. Promising something and doing another breaks trust. They’ll be honest if you lead by example and provide a safe environment. Be it important decisions, current financial health of the company or performance metrics, you may not share everything but it keeps your teams informed and be a part.
✔️ Build Relationships- Interacting with employees regularly helps build a good rapport. Listening to their suggestions and opinions helps build trust into relationships as well. When team building workshops and events are held, people interact with each other beyond work which benefits all, especially in the new age hybrid and work from home policies.
✔️ Celebrate Achievements- Having a safe environment to function, which allows you to be experimental, make mistakes and work independently inspires most. And when their achievements are celebrated, be it group or individual and efforts appreciated and acknowledged, the impact further motivates employees to work harder.

A right combination of leadership, honesty and relationship-building helps build teams that trust you and each other. Good leaders help build that trust into their teams, inspiring employees to become leaders themselves, helping individuals and organisations grow

It is important for partners to focus on cherishing and nurturing their relationship so it continues to be important and meaningful. Not only does it take constant effort, it is also about having a forgiving and a magnanimous heart.

✔️Work on your Communication skills to build trust and understanding.
✔️ ⁠Suggest doing activities together which are out of daily routine.
✔️Focus on creating more positive and happy moments.
✔️Give each other space to grow.
✔️Rework on your expectations for each others’ comfort.
✔️Be motivating rather than critical

Healthy Relationships require balance. Small efforts consciously made on a daily basis go a long way in building stronger, everlasting bonds.

“You can’t do a good job if a job is all that you do.”

In this world of professional success, do not overlook the importance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance, especially when it comes to Relationships. Prioritize quality time with your loved ones to nurture both your Personal and Professional growth.

Personally, I’ve always wondered why some people are always or at least seem to be happier than others, or why is it easier for them to have a more positive mindset. As we go through life, we all have positive and negative experiences, yet each one of us reacts differently to circumstances.

It is so true that Happiness is but only a state of mind that can be achieved through right choices that we make for ourselves and the right attitude. Our thoughts guide our reactions to what happens in our lives and how we respond. It is in our power to make conscious choices to ensure a state of mind which regards our blessings, how we help and support people around us and in the way we cut down on negativity to find more meaning and purpose in our lives.

Today, on the occasion of International Day of Happiness, I wish you all a happier and calmer state of mind to strive towards that purpose and true meaning in life.

Studies show that acts of kindness towards your partner can significantly boost relationship satisfaction.
Try surprising them with a small gesture today and watch your bond grow stronger.

“You are never too old to set another goal or dream a new dream.”

Mahatma Gandhi played a very significant role against the British rule, making India an independent nation. He encouraged Indians to fight for their freedom. Yet, only his words couldn’t have inspired the result. That inspiration had to be followed through by actions of Champaran and Kheda Satyagrahas, and the Non-Cooperation, Civil Disobedience and Quit India Movements.

Every time something is to be achieved, it’s important to be motivated, yet more important to take action. Only when we get started is there any chance of success and more the action, better the chances. As we move ahead, we find ways to overcome obstacles and challenges which brings in more confidence and a positive mindset that moves us towards growth. As I see it:

𝗔- 𝑨𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏
𝗖- 𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒔
𝗧- 𝑻𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔

Success always begins with self-discipline and that starts with you. Discipline involves making small sacrifices now for a better future. It is about putting in constant effort, no matter what, to live an organised life where good habits help form a systematic daily routine, working everyday towards achievement of our goals.

Motivation does help us get started but we might not be as encouraged everyday to take action, and without action there is no progress.

In life there will always be challenges, big or small. It is only self-discipline that helps us prioritise what is important, ignore distractions and prevent overthinking to overcome those challenges and take action.

As WK Hope so rightly said, “Self discipline is when your conscience tells you to do something and you don't talk back."

I used to think a lot about the future. But growing up I realise we have no control about what future may bring. There’s not much we can do and worrying only spoils our now- the present moment.

Accepting what’s happening and facing the present helps us worry less and approach the future with a happier state of mind and higher spirits. Only with this positive approach can we deal with any situation in the best way possible.

So go with the flow, let life live itself and be comfortable with it. You’ll be happier every moment. Don’t forget to be in gratitude for what you have and where you are in life, for that will lift up your spirits and instil hope and faith along the way. Think of yourself being happy and it’ll soon be a reality!