POSITIVE POWER
1. When you have a choice as to who you can associate with – choose people who are positive, who can help you positively and who give you an energy boost when they are around. Be with people who you are proud of, people you admire and people who like and respect you.

2. DETERMINING DESTINY
Let go of people who really are not a benefit in our lives. Many people contribute to your destiny, not just any one person. Be more discerning as to who really matters in your business and personal success.

3. PLAY FAIR
Give new people a chance and embrace new relationships. Use your gut instincts, and make sure there are safeguards especially if this is a new business enterprise.

4. Professional courtesy, kindness and respect
Even though we know the customer is not always right, when it comes to conduct we should guard against being rude. They may not be nice, but you should be professionally nice. Think of someone in your life that you are habitually respectful to – your mother or grandmother. Give everyone that level of respect and have the patience of a saint or the patience you have with your pet cat. Exemplary kindness will be remarked upon.

5. ACCEPT PEOPLE AS THEY ARE
People usually don’t change and you will just tear your hair out trying. Better to lead by example and give support where you can.

6. Cheerleader
Cheer up others by giving forms of encouragement. Appreciate the good qualities of people around you. Be thankful and appreciative. They may return the compliment.

7. We don’t all have to be the same
You don’t click with everyone. You don’t have to be the same as everyone else, so just be yourself and you will feel more comfortable. Of course in the workplace you have to have regard to the corporate culture and fitting in with that. But outside the work place – you have more choice as to who you want to associate with.

8. Don’t be weighed down with grudges
Forgiveness is easier said that done, but at the very least you must find a closure where you can at least come to terms with what has been done and move on. You have to cut your losses and get to people who care and treat you reasonably.

9. LITTLE THINGS CAN AMOUNT TO BIG THINGS
Where possible treat the people who matter like royalty – in other words treat them well.

10. WHO ARE YOUR REAL FRIENDS?
It is more important to have genuine friends than to have a wide range of hangers on. It is your real friends who matter most.

11. THE VALUE OF LOYALTY
Loyalty is about two people being true to each other. Loyalty is about being faithful to all the promises that have been made and the understandings that have been spoken about or unspoken. Loyalty features in both personal and business relationships, although how this actually works differs. In business it about honoring promises and maintaining confidentiality. Those are important in personal relations too.

12. Keeping in touch
Never ignore people you care about because lack of concern and silence hurts more than angry words. Stay in touch with the people who matter most because they are worth the extra effort. Paying attention to these particular people should be a priority.

13. Your word is your bond
Keep promises, tell the truth – values followed by people of integrity. Put another way be reliable. Half-truths are not totally honest and people will lose trust. Remember reputation is important – make your reputation as stellar as possible.

14. IT IS MORE BLESSED TO GIVE
Practice the golden rule: Give love, if you want love. Be friendly if you want friends. Provide value, if you want money.

15. Communication Clarity
Make it a policy to communicate as clearly as you can. Ask for clarification if you are not sure and be willing to clarify clearly when asked.

16. DECISIONS
People like to make their own decisions – where possible let them. Some people only learn when they realize they have made a mistake.

17. Talk less but listen more
Listening ears are often more welcome than wordy advice. Letting others talk freely permits them to think about their options.

18. Agree to disagree
When matters really are small matters – agree to disagree.

19. DO WHAT YOU KNOW TO BE RIGHT
Keep on track by doing what you know to be right. In the work place you have to work as a team usually but nevertheless do what you think to be right and produce productive results.

20. YOU ARE SPECIAL
so make sure you have a good relationship with yourself too.

Author's Bio: 

An I CAN READ English specialist with over 20 years teaching experience, I have worked in the British Council and Linguaphone, well-known language institutions. I am a London-trained lawyer and have been the public affairs officer at the British High Commission, Singapore, as well as an editor in an international book publishing house and a national magazine. In 2006, I was appointed as an Ambassador of Peace (Universal Peace Federation and Interreligious and International Federation for World Peace). I am also co-author of two law books: English Legal System and Company Law, published by Blackstone, Oxford University Press. For enquiries about I CAN READ classes, email susanmckenzie2003@yahoo.co.uk. FOR DAILY BLESSINGS: www.abetoday.com