Romantic relationships can be both good and bad and just about everyone strives to have one. However, throughout your lifetime these aren’t the only types of relationships that you are going to be involved in.
You are going to develop relationships with teachers, parents, coworkers, bosses, and even family members. These relationships can be just as difficult as maintaining a healthy and happy romantic relationship.
That being said there are some relationships that doomed to fail right from the beginning. However, with the right information and know-how, you really can improve and build any relationship.
Avoid Criticism
It seems like in today’s times most communication involves put-downs and highlights of what someone is doing wrong. Maybe this is because what they are doing wrong is either one of your pet peeves or you think you are above making a mistake like this.
When you are defensive and critical of someone’s mistakes it really can damage any type of relationship. Instead, what you need to do is to try to gingerly point out what the individual is doing wrong and offer constructive ways to correct their mishaps.
Whether you are trying to get your husband to be a better communicator or you are trying to get a coworker to be more productive, you have to also learn to focus on the things that they are doing right.
Learn To Own What You Are Saying
When you learn to own what you are saying it will be taken as a more powerful statement. The statement will probably also be better received.
When you own your statements and feelings it gives you the ability to let your partner see things from your perspective.
Even if your partner does not with what you are trying to point out it will be hard for them to not look at things from your view. There is simply no better way to own your statements than by making “I” statements.
For instance, instead of saying, “It makes me sad when you do that.” You should consider saying, “I feel sad when you do that.”
Don’t Get Offended By Constrictive Criticism
Relationships and communication are both two-way streets. This means that it is not going to be you pointing out what the other person is doing wrong all the time. You are going to have your own set of faults and your partner will also point these out.
If you want your partner to hear what you are saying, you are going to have to be able to listen to what they are saying as well. Sometimes it can hurt your feelings and make your angry when people point out what you are doing wrong.
You have to learn to teach yourself to bury these feelings when you are receiving constructive criticism. This will not be easy, but you really need to see things from your partner’s perspective.
Learn When Time Outs Are Necessary
In any relationship there are going to be conversations that are going to be more intense than others. Sometimes in these types of situations it is better to say nothing at all.
Of course, this doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t address the issue at all. Instead, you should take some personal time to process what your partner is trying to convey to you.
Say something like “Can I get back to you on that” or “I really need some time to think this over.” Any caring partner will understand that you need time to process everything. Just be sure that the issue is eventually reproached and reproached in a reasonable amount of time.
