So, you’ve decided to run for office. Good for you!
But the question remains — how do you get people to agree with you on things?
It’s a hard question to answer because so many different variables are involved.
You can cut to the chase and say that you want to build relationships with people who share your views. Sounds great, but what does that actually mean?
I suggest that you start with a simple test: ask yourself what your ideal relationship with this person would look like.
That might sound like a harmless question, but if you really think about it, it contains all the characteristics of a terrible idea.
Someone who shares your views on everything should be against you in every way possible. Why would you want to spend time with someone like that?
The only relationship that should be good and stable is the one you have with yourself. Find out what you believe and what you want, then hold yourself to that. When you do that, you will see what actually works for you and what doesn’t.
If your views on everything else aren’t at odds, you can’t have an “ideal” relationship. You might have a workable relationship with your boss, but not one with your customers.
It’s the same with friends. You might have a friendship with that person who always talks about how bad your ideas are. Or you might have a friendship with that person who always votes against you.
But they’re not real friends because they disagree with you on so many other things.
A real friend is one who on occasion does something nice for you, even if it’s just something small.
It might mean nothing at all, but if you’re looking for a real friend, look for someone who does nice things for you, who you know you can depend on, who you can laugh with, and whose relationship with you is based on more than just your shared interests.
If you can’t be friends with someone because they believe in the same things as you do, it’s time to look for someone new.
I have been in many relationships over the years, but the ones that ended because of fundamental beliefs are close to impossible to reconcile.
I can count on one hand the times when we disagreed on a political or religious matter.
If we disagreed on something, it was most likely on how to spend our time together, how to parent, or how to move forward together.
We disagreed on everything, and it became a source of tension, but we never had a fight that could be called serious.
If we did have a fight, it was usually resolved in less than ten minutes.
If we could agree on anything, it was usually on how to handle it, and how to move forward.
The problem is, as time went on, the amount of time we spent in conflict increased.
So, if you want to build a stable relationship with someone, you need to find out what is important to that person.
You need to find out what they want, and then you need to do what is best for that.
If you do that, you will be able to find people who agree with you, and you will be able to build a life together.