Success is possible through relationships, as no one travels through this life all alone. Success is even possible if a partner relationship moves toward the cool side. Gaining success and maintaining the relationship will be challenging, but it is possible.

If a person faces deserved group criticism, the urge to join the fray in the verbal beatdown is high. Resist this urge, as it does help in teaching a lesson already learned. It just brings extra ugly to the situation, often making it worse.

Some people have trouble thinking of themselves as valuable unless told by someone else. Some people believe their value is better portrayed by tearing other people down. You can help them out in both cases by slathering on more compliments to people.

This week’s message was inspired by a rennet post on Seth Godin’s blog that made me evaluate what motivates me in my pursuits. Is it reaching the stated goal or just the journey to get there?

The best time to question the consequence of your actions is after you have survived an ordeal. The second-best time to question the consequences of your actions is the moment you begin to see the consequences of your actions.

Learn to endure 'stupid questions' as questions asked by people who truly don't know the answer. Learn to endure the people who tend to claim, 'I'm just trying to ask a question,' as people determined to be jerks despite the situation.

Want to feel empowered and better about yourself and your life? Face your fears and work toward that goal alluding to you. Just take it one tiny step at a time.

You don’t want to look for ways to exploit those around you. You’re looking for a way to better understand people by getting to know the side they (usually) do their best not to show you.

Sit down with a physical pen and a piece of paper. Use your phone app if you must. Freely brainstorm for at least 5 minutes (longer if you are feeling it), and out which ideas have been bogging you down, and make plans to do something about them.

You must have a good sense of perspective when going through a rough stretch of failures and coming up short. A rejection is not necessarily the signal of the end of a journey, and it may be a detour or a pivot.