How To Resolve Relationship Conflicts

Everyone of us has differences and disagreements. But healthy people find ways to resolve conflicts without turning them into wars. As simple as this Ten Step exercise looks, you must take your time to work on all of the steps. Learn one step at a time. Do not skip a step. Each step is built onto the next step, until all ten steps are learned. Look at this as learning a new dance with your partner or friend. This dance is made up of ten steps. As you learn each step, the dance starts to evolve and you will find that the steps become easier and the dance more enjoyable.

Print out and complete the following ten steps on paper. It is much easier to write out your answers than to do all the work in your head. It will help you stay focused as you practice each step. Remember you're learning something new which is not visible to the eye. When you write down your answers, the steps will become visible to you and to your partner.

1. Set a time and place for discussion. First, schedule a meeting with your partner. Allow for a least 30 minutes. Set a time and place. For example, schedule a meeting on Thursday night from 6pm to 7pm in your living room. Bring paper and pen. Assign the person who feels more comfortable to write the notes.

   Meeting Place:______________________________________________________

   Date: _________________________________________

   Time:__________________________________

2. Decide on one important problem you would like to resolve. Start with an easy problem and write the problem above. Remember to be specific. Example: "Anger outbursts hurts us both", rather than, "I don't like the way we talk to each other."

   ______________________________________________________________________________

   ______________________________________________________________________________

3. Without blaming each other, list the things you each do that have not helped to resolve the problem.
   • Male:

     1) _____________________________________________________________________________

     2) _____________________________________________________________________________

   • Female:

     1) _____________________________________________________________________________

     2)
     _____________________________________________________________________________

4. Brainstorm and list all possible solutions. List at least five possible solutions to the problem. List all ideas, even bad ones. Let all your ideas come out. Do not hold any idea back. Remember you're only brainstorming your thoughts. DO NOT EVALUATE ANY OF THE IDEAS AT THIS POINT. DO NOT JUDGE OR CRITICIZE. This will only shut down the thought process and stall your communication.

   1) ______________________________________________________________________________

   2) ______________________________________________________________________________

   3) ______________________________________________________________________________

   4) ______________________________________________________________________________

   5) ______________________________________________________________________________

5. Discuss and list the advantages and disadvantages of each possible solution. Be as objective as you can be. Talk about the advantages and disadvantages for each suggestion. You can rate each suggestion on a scale from 0-10, where 0 means "Not Useful" and 10 means "Very Useful."
   • Advantages
     
     _____________________________________________________

     _____________________________________________________

     _____________________________________________________

     _____________________________________________________

   • Disadvantages

     _____________________________________________________

     _____________________________________________________

     _____________________________________________________

     _____________________________________________________

6. List one solution or combination of possible solutions that you both agree to try. Your pilot project or trial solution does not have to be the final and concrete solution. Decide on a trial period of one week, followed by an evaluation meeting.

   Pilot Project Solution: ____________________________________________________________________________

   ____________________________________________________________________________

7. Plan and agree how you will each carry out the chosen solution(s). Start today. Be as specific as possible. Decide on what resources may be needed and obtain them.
   • Male: _____________________________________________________________________________

     ______________________________________________________________________________

   • Female: _____________________________________________________________________________

     _____________________________________________________________________________

8. List possible barriers that can hinder your success during the implementation. Decide how to overcome the problems.
   Possible Barriers Solutions to Barriers
   • Male
     Possible barriers: ____________________________________________________________________________

     Solutions to barriers: ____________________________________________________________________________

   • Female:
     Possible barriers: ____________________________________________________________________________

     Solutions to barriers: ____________________________________________________________________________

9. Set a place, date and time within the next week for a follow up meeting to review your progress. If the trial solution was unsuccessful, go back to Step 1 and try again. Don't become discouraged. As in learning to dance, it takes much practice to learn the steps. Take your time to practice each step. Coach each other as you practice and enjoy the learning process. If you have shown improvement, use this exercise to overcome other problems.

   Meeting Place:_________________________________________

   Date: _________________________________________

   Time:__________________________________

10. Pay attention to each other as the week passes. If you notice your partner making a positive contribution toward the solution, give positive feedback for his/her effort. Make couple meetings a regular part of your weekly schedule.