NAGGING

As a relationship coach who works primarily with some very successful women, there’s one big mistake I see women make over and over again in their relationships with men. I know for a fact that this problem sabotages – and kills – millions of potential relationships before they ever get off the ground – and I also know it’s 100% preventable. Here’s the problem:

At this time last year, I made a very ambitious decision for 2012: I vowed not to change a thing. Seven months into motherhood, and inspired by an article that suggested readers resist the mad dash to "New Year, New You" themselves, I decided to be content with who I was. How did it work out? Keep reading.

Do you feel like you're always asking your husband to do the same things over and over again? Honey, did you remember to pick up the dry cleaning? Honey, don't forget to put down the toilet seat! If this sounds familiar, you might want to consider a more effective — and less annoying — way to get what you want.

How can you tell if you're nagging? Our experts sound in on the telltale signs.

Is your girlfriend or wife constantly telling you the same thing over and over again ("Take out the trash!" "Go to the doctor!" "Don't sit like that!"). Do you want it to stop without it negatively affecting your relationship?

Studies show that a lack of communication is the number one reason couples break up or get divorced. Nagging is a major culprit — relentless reminders, suggestions and advice on how, when and why we should do things. But what are some of the other bad communication habits that erode away at couples?

"Put down the toilet seat!" "Clean the gutters!" "Change the light bulb!" These 'obvious' bits of nagging are actually the laziest forms of relationship clichés. [Yawn.] Not all women are naggers, and not all men are nag-ees. That said, nagging does happen. And because it's so hard for men and examples. (I may have exagerrated just a little, but you get the point.) What You Say: "Oh, are you playing Madden again?" What He Hears: "Video games are for teenage boys or fat virgins. When will you grow up and become a man with self-respect? You disgust me."

Are all long-term relationships destined to fall into a battle of nagger vs. naggee?

When it comes to nagging, it seems everyone's ready and willing to put in their two cents — even famous people, from actors to activists. Here are the six quotes that best enbody the annoying habit that anyone in a relationship has been guilty of (yes, even you).

Have you noticed that we don't typically nag the most obvious people in our lives, like our annoying co-workers or irritating neighbors? Rather, we save our nagging for those closest to us ... but why?

If you're reading this, it's likely that you may have—at one point or another—experienced nagging in your relationship. Hey, believe us, you're not alone. Welcome to Nag-Free Week, a seven-day event encouraging readers to join together to stop nagging and start communicating more effectively.

A new YourTango survey reveals the pervasiveness and the erosive nature of one of couples' worst habits: nagging.

"Does it count if we are all sitting in the car going through the drive-in?" "How can we schedule a family dinner together if this kid has soccer and this kid has piano lessons and I have a Zumba class?"

Let's face it: no one wants to admit that he or she might have less-than-stellar communication techniques. And nagging is a type of behavior that's much easier for naggees to identify than for naggers. We've pulled together some great tips for cutting back on nagging, and also ideas for ways you can ask for what you want in a way that's more likely to get a positive response.

Whether you nag, are nagged or are the rare gem who lives a nag-free existence, we want to hear all about your coupled communication habits in our new survey.

By Dr. Marianne Brandon | genConnect Ladies, we've all been there. If you've asked him once, you've asked 50 times. At some point you stopped asking nicely and your tone officially turned to nagging.