19 - Trust

Today's challenge;

Engage in a conversation with a stranger.

What is it?

Trust can be described as reliance on things like integrity, strength, and ability of a person or thing. When one trusts another, this means that one person is willing to rely on the actions of another. Trust is an important concept in relationships between people. A relationship cannot go on without trust.

Why is it important?

Trust is important because it is the basis around which all human relationships revolve. Without trust, there can be no relationship. Trust is also important because if you don't trust someone then they are not available.

How can you build trust?

• The past does not always predict your future. Trust issues often are a result of past bad experiences that are affecting your ability to trust others for fear of history repeating itself.

• Be vigilant. If there is a particular reoffending individual in your life, the trust issues may be warranted and be a warning sign not to fall victim again. Trust your instincts, but it is important not to assume specific experiences in your past will predict all similar situations in the future.

• Trust is delicate and requires constant work. The loss of trust can be costly — not only psychologically, but also financially and in terms of work and livelihood. What’s helpful to remember is that trust is an ongoing exchange between people and is not static. Trust can be earned. It can be lost. And it can be regained.

Deep Dive

Stephen M. R. Covey asserts that trust is “the most overlooked, misunderstood, underutilized asset to enable performance. Thankfully, it is also the thing that can dramatically improve your personal and professional success.

"Speed of Trust: The One Thing That Changes Everything", by Stephen M.R. Covey

“People become trustworthy when they are trusted” – Madeline L’Engle

Checkpoint: Something to consider today...

How trustworthy are you of other people? Do you give it freely or is it earned?