We are all naturally burdened with an unfortunate human condition. Each one of us is natuallry consumed with ourselves and our own lives. We are constantly thinking about ourselves and how to leverage relationships to help us in our lives. When we understand that most everyone is thinking about their lives to the exclusion of everything else, then and only then, will we be able to break free of this way of thinking, this paradigm. The 5% of high income earners in this country truly understand this. They force themselves to break free of this thinking. They control their thinking.  When financially successful people meet a new person they instead ask themselves: "how can I help this person?"  One of the critical factors to their success in life is this very way of thinking. They consider the other person first. In doing this, successful people understand that they are fostering their relationships, improving them and growing them. They are creating what Seth Godin calls a Tribe. When I am confronted with a selfless-minded new contact I do what I can to lock in that relationship because I understand that there are so few of these individuals around (5% of the population). I want this person to become an integral part of my life.
    Building valuable relationships is one of the cornerstones to financial success. Most (95%) don't understand this. The way to build strong relationships is to give, give and give some more in the relationship. When a contact sees that you are looking out for their interest, trying to help them improve their lives, they want to become part of your inner circle or tribe. A magical thing then occurs. Your relationships will begin to shift their thinking from me-centric to you-centric. A valued relationship will eventually reciprocate and start to focus on helping you when they know you are looking out for them. When your tribe of relationships are all focused on each others needs, rather than their own individual needs, that is when you have a powerful network. Everyone is helping pull your cart. You are not alone in your efforts to improve your own life. The tribe is there to help you pull your cart.   No one is successful on their own. The most successful people in the world are part of a valuable network, all working together to help each other achieve financial success. There is no "what have you done for me lately" mindset in members of a successful network. Users are pushed out of the group eventually. They are cast aside on the road of life because they are out for themselves.
    If you have ever felt downcast about your life and in a moment of honest clarity find yourself asking "what am I doing wrong", more often than not the wrong that you are doing involves how you view relationships. Your "wrong" is the way you habitually view relationships. Unsuccessful people have a selfish attitude toward relationships. They are consumed with using relationships to help them is some way. They have it backwards regarding relationships. It is why they are failing or eking out a living. They just don't get it.