Tweaks You Can Make To Improve Communication
Trying to improve your communication skills in a relationship can feel like a daunting task. But without a doubt, communication is the single most important wheel that drives a successful relationship. It allows you express yourself and voice your concerns – and this can provide an opportunity to grow in other important areas.
Simple words such as with a compliment can spring your relationship back to life, restoring some peace, joy, and serenity into your life. On the other hand, words such as “we need to talk”, with an blank facial expression can make you feel worried and uneasy. This is because communication is fundamental to a relationship – but there is a way to apply a few tweaks to improve communication in your relationship. So if you feel you are not communicating properly with your partner, this is for you. Here are some adjustments you can adopt to improve your communication skills:
Voice your Intentions at the Beginning of a Conversation
Before engaging in a serious discussion, make your intentions clear to your partner. Jumping straight into the details of an issue at hand can increase the possibility of your partner feeling trapped or attacked. This can be done in a number of different ways. Here are a few examples that you can use: that you are seeking understanding, you want to adjust a process that takes place between you, you want to discuss exchanges between you two in different environments so you both can feel positive, confident, and comfortable. Discussing our intentions in the beginning can help both partners to navigate an issue even if someone misses the mark in how they convey their message. It can also help redirect the conversation to its original goal and purpose.
Be Receptive when your partner is Emotionally Vulnerable
Being receptive when your partner is being emotionally vulnerable is an extremely valuable trait to have. It is always a good feeling to know that your partner is approachable and open to hearing your perspective and feelings. You can do that in a number of different ways such as with active listening, not discounting their perspective, and by also realizing that you don’t have to have a solution to resonate with how they feel.
Be Mindful of Facial Expressions
Non-verbal gestures and body language are very important forms of communication in a relationship. The gestures you make, how fast or loud you talk, the eye contact you make, the way you sit – send strong messages to your partner. Yes, you are still communicating even in silence. And in many cases, your wordless signals and facial expressions send a totally different message from the words you speak. Wearing negative expressions on your face can oftentimes mute your message, making it difficult for your partner to digest the message you are trying to convey. In order to improve your communication skills, it is important that you become sensitive body language and facial expressions.
Communication with your partner is never ending, so I encourage you to accept the mindset to continually improve and fine tune your communication. If you would like more help beyond these introductory guides, visit my counseling and coaching page at BreakthroughSolutions.com/counseling
