Respect

Respect is a way of treating or thinking about something or someone.

TL;DR

Respect operates at every level – time, money, power – but the deepest form is respecting others’ time and attention. That starts with respecting your own. Wherever you are, be fully there.

The most common seeking of approval is via respect.

Respect can be at any level: time, money, power.

Respecting others’ time will take some effort, but it pays off greatly in the long term.

Do you respect yourself? Do we respect our time?

We all know that time and attention are the scarce resources.

Wherever you are, be there. That will ensure that you are respecting the other person.

FAQ

What is the most meaningful way to show respect?

Be fully present. When you are with someone, be there – not on your phone, not mentally elsewhere. Presence is the deepest form of respect because it says: your time and attention matter enough for me to give you mine.

How does respecting your own time change your relationships?

When you treat your own time as valuable, you stop wasting it and stop allowing others to waste it. Paradoxically, this makes you more generous with your time when you do give it, because the gift is intentional rather than default.

Is respect earned or given?

Both. A baseline of respect should be given to everyone. But deeper respect – the kind that strengthens relationships – is earned through consistently demonstrating that you value others’ time, attention, and presence.

For more reflections like this, see Thoughts.