When we express trust in a cooperation with another person, whether at work or in a relationship, we reach the point where we would like to cooperate with the other in the context of a project, time spent together, intimacy, etc. We assess, feel, and believe that we are further deepening our openness and giving ourselves, and thus the other person, a chance for co-creation.
As in all areas, communication, its extent, and the quality of self-expression are incredibly important factors, but we often only deal with them superficially in the rush of everyday life. We always experience and interpret the events of the world, including people, through our own experiences, filters, feelings, and perceptions. And this always means our own perspective.
The other person's perspective may be very similar, but it is never exactly the same; otherwise, we would be uniformly programmed robot clones.
The quality of the other person's intent and actual attitude can only be "assumed" by us, too, because the experience is always individual, unique, and personal. The same event—signing and later executing a contract, an afternoon movie, a meeting with friends, a night spent together—is realized and experienced by everyone according to their own ideas, feelings, and thoughts.
Generally speaking, we rely on a positive continuation, where the other person shows up and remains an active participant in the given event or process, provided it's not a one-time story. Continuity, the invested energy of being present and actively working towards the success of the shared project, is an important element.
If we communicate our ideas, potential difficulties, challenges, misunderstandings, etc., we create space for ourselves and the participants to actively contribute, and thus for us to contribute, to a long-term, successful, and joyful co-creation.
It is essential to recognise when we start giving up on ourselves, to identify when we are sacrificing too much energy, time, and attention one-sidedly for too long in pursuit of a common goal, which can already lead to consequences against us.
Our expectations about what we want and how we want it show the framework that is important, safe, and acceptable for us. The participants decide to what extent and how they can and why they want or do not want to cooperate with this. I only have control over my own attitudes and decisions.
If I feel or see that a cooperation does not bring the elements that are important to me, then I can decide how long and why I am willing to continue it, or terminate the process. Naturally, openness to change, modification, and development, as well as being aware of my own boundaries and being ready to make win-win compromises, greatly aid the continuation of a given cooperation.
It is essential to recognise when we start giving up on ourselves, to identify when we are sacrificing too much energy, time, and attention one-sidedly for too long in pursuit of a common goal, which can already lead to consequences against us and the breakdown of our physical and mental balance.
Cooperation is also a dance, where it is worthwhile to perform the "movement" that is still "enjoyable" for both parties, while paying attention to the impulses towards each other.
Let's remember that everything changes and everything is part of a process, and there are infinite possibilities for recalibration in the "space."
The question is, what do you want, and what are you doing for it in the present moment?
