It’s a balancing act.

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When people think of the word relationship, they are quick to jump to thoughts of romance. We all know getting into a fight with our significant other can be stressful, but there are other relationships we constantly have to work on, too.

When everything is going well, relationships are easy. It’s when there are problems, or arguments that we don’t know how to deal with, that they become difficult. Remember, it’s always okay to seek help or advice on how to solve these issues. IGNITE’s Dispute Resolution Clinic is a great option to help you keep your relationships in check. 

Now, let’s examine the importance of some of the different relationships you have to deal with in your day-to-day life!

Work

Nowadays, getting your dream job is a lot about who you know, so it’s important to network.  Networking can help you meet people in the industry, get business advice and ultimately, advance your career. It’s not just about meeting these people, it’s about creating long-lasting relationships.

Now, you may be thinking: “I’m not even thinking about my dream job, I’m just trying to survive my next shift.”

I hear you. Work is tough. It’s not enough that you have to deal with customers and deadlines, but sometimes you have to deal with difficult managers or co-workers who you don’t see eye-to-eye with.  

Maybe you already tried to deal with the issue on your own, or maybe you don’t know where to start.

It’s okay to ask for help.

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Try talking to an immediate supervisor or your manager for advice and if that doesn’t work or you’re not comfortable, you can always try IGNITE’s Dispute Resolution Clinic for free.

School

As a student, you worry about studying, doing your readings, attending classes, completing assignments (not to mention those dreaded group projects) and getting good grades.
 

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Let’s be honest. How many times have you been placed in a group you didn’t want to work with? Two times? Three times? More?

Working and collaborating with people you don’t really know isn’t easy, but it’s a life skill! There are ways to make working on group projects a little better – sometimes, preparing in advance can help prevent issues from arising.

Better relationships with your classmates can make group projects run smoother and take away a lot of your stress, just like good relationships with your professors makes coming to them for help a lot easier.

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Remember, teamwork makes the dream work!

And everything else

Probably some of the most important relationships you can ever have are those who are a part of your personal life – your friends, family and significant other.

These are sometimes the relationships we take for granted because we expect that they’ll always be there. For these reasons, maybe we don’t think as hard about how to approach difficult topics or issues as much as we should. Maybe we just yell. Maybe we don’t say anything at all. These things are going to be far from helpful, though.

Next time, before you yell at your loved ones or before you just storm out of the room, take a second and think. Let yourself develop a constructive way to solve your problem without damaging your relationship.

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Take full advantage of the support and services offered to you as a student! The next time you’re faced with a dilemma or conflict and you don’t know where to start, check out IGNITE’s Dispute Resolution Clinic. The service is completely free, and appointments are being conducted virtually on Zoom on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Book your appointment today!

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