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How to Make More Positive Relationships

By Rheyanne Weaver HERWriter January 3, 2012 - 10:46pm
 
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It’s a new year, and many people have lofty goals of improving every aspect of their lives. However, it’s more realistic to start in steps, and one improvement that could drastically change everyday life is making more positive relationships.

Experts have advice on how to make more positive relationships with all types of people, including family, friends and significant others.

Sandy Weiner, a dating coach at Last First Date, LLC, has eight tips for readers on how to develop more positive relationships.

1. “Be a great listener. Seek to understand before being understood.”

2. “Regularly show appreciation and gratitude.”

3. “Be kind in small and big ways.”

4. “Follow through on your commitments.”

5. “Don't blame. Take responsibility for your own issues.”

6. “Be happy for each other’s successes.”

7. “Talk out your issues with each other, not with other people behind their back.”

8. “Don't try to fix, change, manipulate, or control each other. Accept them for who they are.”

Barbara Desmarais, a parenting and life coach, said in an email that complimenting others in a sincere way can help you create more positive relationships, along with a few other strategies.

Not surprisingly, you might need to work on yourself to get the type of relationships you want with other people.

1) “Avoid focusing on your problems. Hearing someone complain all
the time drags people down and doesn't draw them to you.”

2) “Smile a lot. Everyone likes to be around people who smile.”

3) “Be able to laugh at yourself. Most people enjoy being around
people who don't take themselves too seriously.”

4) “Notice people's strengths and comment on them.”

5) “Avoid interrupting. If someone is talking to you, let them
finish.”

6) “Most people respond favorably to touch. A gentle touch of the arm
or shoulder says a lot and communicates, warmth.”

7) “When saying hello to someone, use their name. There is a huge
difference between ‘Hi!’ and ‘Hi, John!’ Use their name in conversation as
well.”

 
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We value and respect the experiences of all of our HERWriters, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.

Rheyanne Weaver HERWriter View Profile Send Message

I graduated in May 2011 from Arizona State University with a bachelor's in psychology and journalism. I am an asset ...

http://feministrheyanne.tumblr.com/

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Warrior Fit Chick Blogger

thank you for sharing!

January 4, 2012 - 9:15pm
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