Finding Common Ground: 5 Ways To Be A Better Wife, Husband or Significant Other
When you first meet people, you know that finding common ground is the best and probably the fastest way to get to know them and to make a connection, right?
Okay. Well, what if you’re already pretty well acquainted with someone, possibly living together or even married? And what if your relationship is hitting a rough patch or turning toxic? Finding common ground might be the only way to save the relationship.
If you want to work on your relationship, you might consider extending an olive branch and finding common ground.
If you’re at a loss on where to start, I’ve got you covered. Here are some strategies to help you build that bridge and find that common ground:
#1 – Think Back To The Good Old Times
If you’re in a relationship, chances are you probably have a number of good memories of being together.
Pick your favorite and explore that moment fully. Reminisce about the fun times you had together. What were you two doing? Try to remember how you felt, where you were, and what you saw so you can really bring the memory alive.
#2 – “What Did You Work On Today?”
When you get home from work, don’t ask the trite, “How are you?” or “ How was work?” Instead ask something a little more creative that’ll get more of a response than just “Fine” or “Okay.”
Ask, “What did you work on today?” or “What was the funniest thing that happened to you today?”
The point here is to ask a question that gets your partner talking instead of giving a one-word answer.
#3 – Offer To Help With Something
Cleaning the toilets, mowing the lawn, or washing the dishes are chores everybody has to do, right? If you’re trying to build a bridge with someone, one of the best ways to get into (or get back into) his or her good graces is to help out with something your significant other doesn’t want to do in the first place.
What better way to say you care than to help check something off his or her to-do list?
#4 – Be The Other Person’s Rainbow
Showing up with flowers, cooking a special dinner, or planning an evening out you know your partner will dig is a great way to surprise and delight him or her.
Not only will it say I want to make you happy, but it’ll also show you put some serious thought and effort into it.
#5 – Give A Compliment
Who doesn’t like a good compliment? Getting a compliment is akin to getting a gift and it makes you feel awesome. Giving a compliment feels pretty good too.
Compliments help reinforce positive traits and behaviors and builds self-esteem. The best compliments focus on those things you admire about your significant other and things in which they’re lacking self-confidence.
For example, if your significant other is down on their looks, you might want to tell them they look attractive. If your partner just fixed something in your home, you could compliment them on their quick thinking or their keen ability to figure stuff out.
If your significant other is making your life difficult, finding common ground might help to lessen the anxiety and stress you might be feeling. It might even help to put your relationship back on the right path. You never know what a little love and tenderness can do until you try, right?
Need Help Finding Common Ground?
Sometimes when you’re embroiled in an argument, you might not be able to think clearly or be objective. I totally get that.
Keep in mind we’re all human beings and we all have some things in common, even if it’s just taking an interest in something the other person is doing, saying, or thinking.
Need more help? Book a 1-on-1 session with me and let’s talk about your situation. We can dig deep and figure out how to build a better rapport with your significant other so you can get your relationship back on track.