Building Trust
Trust is the foundation of healthy relationships both with others and with yourself. Brené Brown, an expert researcher on vulnerability and trust, created the acronym BRAVING to identify the essential components of trust. Here are some ways you can apply this tool in your daily life:
Boundaries
With Others: Be clear about what you’re comfortable with and what you’re not. Let others know when they've crossed a boundary and respect theirs as well.
With Yourself: Set healthy limits on your time, energy, and emotional investment. Reflect on areas of your life where you feel drained, overwhelmed, or uncomfortable. Ask yourself what you need in those situations.
Reliability
With Others: Be someone people can count on. If you make a commitment, follow through consistently. Whether it’s meeting deadlines or simply showing up, reliability builds trust over time.
With Yourself: Keep promises to yourself. If reliability feels overwhelming, begin with manageable goals such as incorporating a 5-10 minute self-care routine before bed.
Accountability
With Others: Take responsibility for your actions and be willing to apologize when you’ve made a mistake.
With Yourself: Own up to your mistakes and avoid self-blame. Instead of harsh self-criticism, use your mistakes as learning experiences to grow and improve.
Vault
With Others: Avoid gossip. Talking about others erodes trust and can negatively affect relationships. Instead, practice curiosity and keep conversations confidential, this helps others feel safe with you.
With Yourself: Guard your own self-trust by avoiding self-betrayal. This means working on not engaging in negative self-talk or putting yourself down.
Integrity
With Others: Align your actions with your values. Stay honest and uphold what you believe, even when it’s difficult.Take time to identify where and when you might be tempted to compromise these values and think through how you might stand your ground.
With Yourself: Clarify your values by writing down the top 3-5 core values that guide your life. When faced with tough decisions, ask yourself, “Is this choice aligned with who I want to be?”
Non-Judgment
With Others: Create an environment where people feel safe being vulnerable without fear of judgment. Encourage open conversations.
With Yourself: Practice self-compassion exercises. If you make a mistake, try speaking to yourself as you would speak to a close friend.
Generosity
With Others: Practice assuming the best in people’s actions. When someone disappoints you, ask yourself, “What’s the most generous interpretation of their actions?”
With Yourself: Be kind to yourself. When you fall short of your own expectations, give yourself the benefit of the doubt and try again with patience.
By embracing the principles of BRAVING consistently, you will build trust within your relationships with others as well as yourself.