6 Ways to Better Communication
March 17, 2016
Improve Your Relationship with These 6 Language Tweaks
It’s ALL about communication
He’s mad. You’re mad. You’re both defensive and somehow the argument is no
longer about the original disagreement. It’s now a battle of who will be right and
who will be wrong. (In the heat of the moment, we often say things to sway the
conversation our way, even if it’s not 100 percent true.)
Small variants in our language make a BIG difference when communicating with
your partner.
Try changing a few bad language habits so you can stick to the point and resolve
the original disagreement. Here are six small changes that’ll make a big
difference in your relationship long-term:
The #1 Key to Effective Communication
1. Don’t Use the Words “Always” and “Never”
“You always leave your clothes on the floor.”
“You are always negative with the kids.”
“You’re never home to help put the kids to bed.”
“Always” and “never” put your partner on automatic defense. Why? Because it
absolutely can’t be true.
There will never be a time where “always” works because there’s always an
exception to the rule. (Same goes for “never.”) He can’t always leave his clothes
on the floor — he put it in the basket at least once.
Check out YourTango for relationship advice
Other options: often, a lot of time, rarely, or very little. But if you say “always,”
you’ve just added on an additional fight.
Couples Counseling Page 1 of 3
2. Make It About YOU
You’re not going to make your point by pointing fingers. Instead, turn things
around and make it about what you need, rather than about what he does (or
doesn’t) do.
“I am a person who needs to be snuggled.” (Instead of, “You never snuggle
anymore.”)
“I need to go to bed each night feeling safe, and I can’t do that if I’m worried
about someone breaking in.” (Instead of, “You never shut the garage door before
you go to bed, and it drives me nuts.”)
3. Don’t Bring Everything Up in the Heat of the Moment
It’s easy to hold things inside to avoid a fight, but because of our innate desire to
be right all the time, those things tend to creep out during a fight later on. If you
and your partner are in the heat of the moment, throwing out three more things
that bothered in the past month will only make that fight harder to get over.
Use your “I” statements, and your partner will be much more open to problem-
solving the little things when both of you calm down.
4. Compliment Each Other Often.
Research shows that for someone to perform at their best in the workforce, they
need six positive comments to negate one negative comment. You need an even
greater positive to negative ratio in a relationship because you’re twice as
invested.
Every time you tell your man he’s hot, that you’re lucky to have him or that you
appreciate him being so handy around the house, it makes him feel needed and
wanted. So when a fight inevitably comes up, he’ll feel your relationship is solid,
which keeps his focus on meeting your needs (instead of the fact that you seem
unhappy and want to change everything about him).
Why Men Are More Distant Than Women in Relationships
Couples Counseling Page 2 of 3
5. Watch Your Tone, Voice Level and Curse Words
Nothing spirals a fight out of control more than explosive yelling, cursing and
nasty tone.
You may not be able to change your partner’s, but you can control your own. If
half of the battle is under control (as in you), half of the fight is under control.
Emotions tend to take over during these times, but if you stay in control, you can
think logically. Even more, you’ll stay respectful. Showing respect for one
another, especially during arguments, is essential to a happy relationship.
6. Avoid Offensive Comments — They Get You Nowhere
Six months after a fight, couples often forget what the fight was about. What
neither of you will forget, though, are the sharp jabs that dehumanize or make the
other feel inept or invaluable. Offensive comments linger and build resentment in
a relationship. DON’T invite that into your relationship!
Learning to rewire how you and your partner speak to each other isn’t easy,
especially if there’s a pattern that needs to be broken. As with anything, focus on
changing one thing at a time. (Master that skill before taking on the next.)
Once you’ve become a language master, you’ll find that your arguments are
shorter and nicer. Additionally, the discussions will be more about love and
communication, rather than winning the war.
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