When you want to live a successful marriage, focus on the communication side since it is one of the important elements that make a relationship successful.
In this story, you will find the first 5 important pieces of advice to improve communication in a relationship and we shall continue with other advice in the next stories.
1. Your partner needs full attention
While listening to your wife or husband who is speaking to you, do not hold your phone and text or check on it to talk to another person.
Whatever kind of conversation he or she is bringing, it might be a fun or a serious family problem to resolve, do your best to avoid distraction and give him/her your full attention. You don’t need your phone to listen to your partner, your TV set doesn’t need to be on while you are in a serious conversation, this will show your partner that you give value and take care of the information and ideas that he or she has for you.
While listening to him/her, show signs that you hear and understand well what your partner is telling you, nodding and maintaining eye contact proves is one way to prove your attention.
2. Avoid interruption
No adult likes interruption while speaking, especially a partner who talks to his or her beloved one. No one likes being interrupted, even children don’t like being interrupted while telling their parents, stories of what happened to them while at school.
Once one is interrupted, the arguments start and may lead to misunderstanding among you, it is so crucial that everyone gets a chance to express ideas and to be heard.
Whether your partner is giving you wrong information or you have more clarification on what he or she is talking about, it is important to wait until the message ends to have your time and clarify what you want. Listening and avoiding interruption is a sign of respect in a relationship.
3. Neutrality in partners’ communication is key
Making a neutral environment while speaking is not always simple. The kitchen table might be a common choice among couples who find it helpful to discuss difficult marital issues there.
It may seem stupid, but bringing up your partner's lack of sexual aptitude while you are in bed might make them feel assaulted and make them see the bedroom negatively in the future.
Another instance of one partner believing they are on the high ground in an argument is when the two are arguing at a relative's home. You should always find a better place and ways of discussing various topics that concern your relationship and avoid any circumstance that may make such topics not interesting or boring.
4. Face-to-face conversation
Consistently having face-to-face conversations about significant issues is one of the best communication techniques you can do in relationships. Since the tone of voice cannot be discerned through text messages, texting is undoubtedly not the best way to have significant relationship conversations or to make important decisions.
Choose a time instead when you can talk to your lover face to face. Your ability to read one another's nonverbal signs and offer each other your entire attention will increase as a result. There is little chance of something becoming lost in translation and interpretation through technology when something is communicated in person.
5. Don’t attack your partner while arguing
When couples argue, one of the issues they encounter is attacking one another. You should not use language that attacks your partner, just say that his/her behaviour made you feel unhappy.
You relieve your partner of some of the responsibility by employing "I" phrases. You can say, I was not happy when this happened rather than saying “you made me angry after what you did today”.
There is a great difference because instead of criticizing your partner, you can take responsibility for the issue. Once you take ownership of what happened, none of you will start the fight.