Guest Blogger Jane Lovas' weekly series called “What I Wish Someone Had Told Me About Life and Career” runs each Thursday

February is the month of relationships. This month I'm going to look at some of the different relationships we have in our life.

Here is a quick question. Who is it most important for you to have a close, honest relationship with? I'll give you a clue. Look in the mirror, the person looking back at you is the one you want to have that relationship with.

Think about this, who do you spend the most time with? Who is always available and around ready to do what you want, ready for a conversation, ready to go anyplace? That's right you are! If, like so many of us , you don't like yourself very much, imagine for a minute how much more fun your life would be if you spent all your time with your best friend. Imagine being your own best friend.

Besides liking to be around yourself, when you care about yourself and put yourself first in your life you'll also see that other people like being around you. When I say caring for yourself I'm not talking about being selfish or self centered, I'm talking about self awareness and self care.

So what does being My Own Best Friend look like?

First it means to take care of yourself emotionally. One of the most common behaviors that we all fall into is beating ourselves up when we make a mistake. The next time you start doing this ask yourself how you would respond if one of your friends made a similar mistake. Would you berate them, tell them how stupid they were and never let them forget their mistake? (If you did, how long do you think they'd want to be your best friend?) Instead of beating yourself up, ask yourself what could you do different next time?

An added benefit is that if you're fearful of trying new things, doing this will also help reduce some of that fear, because you know someone will be on your side.

Second when someone asks you to do something, before you answer, ask yourself if this is something you really want to do. You don't have to do everything just because someone asks you. If you want to do it, great, feel free to say yes, but if you don't want to do it feel free to say no. And here is a secret most of us weren't ever told. It's ok to say no and all you have to say is “no thank you.” You don't have to give a reason or make an excuse. Conversely, if there is something you want to participate in, go for it, and ask to be included.

Finally, take care of yourself physically. If you take care of yourself, you'll have more energy and when you have more energy you'll enjoy your life a whole lot more. And isn't that the whole point - to enjoy your life?

Have a great week.

Jane Lovas is a career specialist who is the creator of the life changing 12 week tele-seminar “Creating the Life of Your Dreams”. She is also our guest blogger, whose column will run every Thursday. If you would like to contact Jane, you can reach her here, here or here.

"mirror image" courtsey Cl@re Bear via Flickr Creative Commons