Good relationship skills affect every area of your life. When you have good relationship skills, you like yourself and expect others to like you (and find that they usually do). You are able to ask for help when you need it and give support to others when they need it. You are able to say “no” without feeling guilty and accept both your mistakes and the mistakes of those around you. You are better able to stay in the “now” and have better focus.

If you have a partner, you have a good give and take of the tasks that come with living with another person. You support each other emotionally and in practical ways. You accept and love each other the way you are.

If you have children, you are able to enjoy your child and emphasize his positive traits much more often than pointing out opportunities for improvement. You treat your child the way you expect others to treat him.

You have at least one friend that you spend time laughing with each day, either in person, on the phone or through e-mail. You know that you can count on that person in a time of need and that your friend can count on you.

You have open and appropriate communication with your boss and coworkers, putting forth your best effort and feeling like you contribute something to your workplace. You also have a sense of belonging in at least one community organization, school or church where you can contribute to the greater good of your neighborhood or city.

Yes, it is worth it to have good relationship skills.