Don't Let the People You Care About Become Invisible

I recently received a phone message from my sister that made me stop and think about the most important relationships in our lives. She was calling to tell me about how happy she was with where she was in her life right now and how grateful she was for the guidance and support I had given her over the years. In my line of work, I have had a lot people thank me for helping them, but this was special.

I still have that voice message on my phone—I don't ever want to delete it.

Of the three things that I identify as the most important elements in our lives – time, money and relationships — it's relationships that have the deepest emotional impact. Yet the irony is that the closer people are to you, the more likely they are to seem invisible. That call from my sister really brought that reality home to me.

I stopped to think about what the people around me throughout my life have taught me. My mother taught me about purpose and the power of self-belief. My father showed me what it means to be truly content and happy. My sons—whom I have given guidance to for years—are now introducing me to new ways of thinking in their positions as company leaders. And then there are all the clients and other business partners, as well as the team members who have supported me, influenced me, and inspired me in my life. I love all of these people; I love what they bring to my life and I never want to take any one of them for granted.

You no doubt have people around you who play—or have played—a significant role in shaping or supporting your life. But how often do you take the time to acknowledge them and what they mean to you? Too often, we allow our appreciation to go unspoken and we let familiarity blind us to the incredible value they bring to us.

In order to prevent this blindness from happening, celebrate the people closest to you every chance you get. Whether it's family or team members, or anyone that touches your life in any significant way, make sure they know that you don't take their presence in your life granted. Enter their birthdays and anniversaries in your calendar so you always remember to celebrate those milestones with them. Acknowledge their achievements and show real gratitude for their help and support.

It is human nature to be focused on the new and the immediate and to let the familiar—including familiar faces—slip into the background of our consciousness until circumstances pull our attention to them. Don't wait for circumstances. Train yourself to be conscious of your gratitude for these people every day. Remind yourself to bring their presence and their value to the forefront of your awareness. These relationships are the greatest gifts we have in life, and we should never stop being thankful for them.