Top 3 Tips for Better Communication in Relationships

Healthy communication is what can get you through anything as a couple. However, even if you’re talking, sharing, problem-solving, and venting with one another, the style, approach, and content of your communication may not necessarily be effective and conducive to strengthening your relationship and achieving your common goals. It’s critical to maintain certain standards for optimal interactions. Below are three go-to tips that can take you and your partner towards high-quality and satisfying communication.

1)      Focus on the big picture—the ultimate goal.

Complaining, blaming, anger, and guilt throwing: These behaviors and attitudes will detour communication in a negative direction and get you nowhere. The point of communication in relationships is to achieve a resolution of conflicts or to improve circumstances. It’s important to approach issues with this mindset. Focus on the big picture, which is you and your partner getting on the same page—and staying there. You can establish what your ultimate goal is at the outset of a conversation. This way, you both stay focused on problem-solving, compromise, and solutions.

2)      Stick to what is going on right now.

When feelings get hurt and emotions are charged, it can be tempting to support your “argument” or point-of-view by bringing up one or more of your partner’s past offenses. However, when it comes to better communication, this will only derail both of you. Focus on the issue at hand—the challenges that both of you want to resolve right now. If you feel you still need closure for past issues, bring it up later—not when the topic of communication is about a present concern.

3)      Leave your pride at the door.

Don’t underestimate the fact that you might have to continuously remind yourself that you and your partner are both on the same side—you want the same outcome, which is to enjoy a more loving, harmonious, and mutually satisfying relationship. Attitudes and behaviors like pride, ego, competition, and the need to be right will only push you further away from working through conflict and strengthening your bond.

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