Stop nagging and start listening ... pronto!
By Penni Wild and Dan Neuharth and Lori Buckley — Written on Dec 21, 2012
5. Curiosity. Being curious is a great way to enhance your relationship and your sex life. It's easy to fall into the habit of believing you know everything about your partner. Being curious not only makes you a better listener, but it's a great way to add excitement to your relationship. You'll discover new things about your partner, including new things they’d like to experience in (and out of) the bedroom. —Dr. Lori Buckley
6. Courage. Sometimes it feels easier to avoid difficult, intimate conversations. But avoiding them can lead to boring, disconnected, passionless relationships. It takes courage to talk about difficult things, like telling your partner you’d like to try using a vibrator together, or telling him/her how you'd prefer to be touched. Sometimes it takes courage to just tell your partner how much you love him/her or to kiss him/her passionately for no apparent reason ... especially, if it's been a while since you've done it, but taking risks by acting courageously increases intimacy and passion. —Dr. Lori Buckley
7. Listen more; hear more. In 2013, practice listening and hearing the other person. When someone asks a question or makes a suggestion, check your defensiveness meter. Begin to monitor the chatter inside your head. Notice it and let it go. Look at the person with whom you are speaking, look at his/her eyes and let go of your thoughts. Take in what he/she is saying and allow yourself to respond from a new place. —Penni Wild
8. Respond more; react less. In 2013, practice taming your automatic reactions in favor of a more productive response. Create a practice for yourself where you can find the space that immediately follows getting triggered about anything. Focus on making that space bigger — the space before your habitual reaction. The more you get in touch with that space, the more you will discover your own creative and unique response — one that inspires your highest and best contribution in the moment. —Penni Wild