Love

Are You Compatible? An 11 Point Checklist Challenge

11 Ways To Ensure You're Compatible

Dating can be an emotional, exhausting process. In fact, just thinking about dating is taxing… online dating, offline dating, speed dating, hook-ups, set-ups, make-ups, and breakups. Seriously. Could dating be any more exhausting?!

Dating fatigue can occur due to the amount of time, money and effort spent in the dating marketplace. To limit fatigue, you must identify how compatible you are with the person you’re dating. (Ideally you want to achieve this goal in the first few weeks.) Be proactive when checking for compatibility; use a screening tool to expedite the process. To verify you are with the correct person for you, take the following 11-Point Checklist Challenge.

Screen your partner for compatibility in these critical categories:

Chemistry: Chemistry is the foundation for every relationship. Do you have chemistry with your partner? How intense is the chemistry? Does the level of intensity meet your needs? Is the chemistry sustainable?

Lifestyle: What type of lifestyle do you lead? Is your lifestyle commensurate with your partner’s? If you have an active social life and your partner is a homebody, this may purpose difficulties. Assess the likelihood of your lifestyles coexisting long-term.

Intelligence: Whether you graduated from an Ivy League or Community College, is your partner’s intelligence level of paramount importance? Is dating someone of lesser intelligence an option? Can you compete with a superior IQ?

Appearance: Are you meticulously groomed or coolly unkempt? We all know appearance matters. How much does your appearance matter to you? How significant is your partner’s appearance?

Energy: Is your energy level capable of running a marathon or running to the couch? Does your partner share the same stamina?  Will you resent lethargy? Can you compete with a vigorous spirit?

Economics: Who doesn’t love a Cinderella story?! That being said, it’s a fairy tale… Most people date within their economic class. Ask yourself if you are truly comfortable crossing into someone else’s monetary world. Can you live with less? Is luxury a necessity?

Health: There’s a difference between treating yourself to an occasional doughnut and longing for doughnuts… Do your health standards correspond with your partner’s gastronomic tendencies?

Humor: A shared sense of humor is beneficial to all relationships. Are you enjoying a laugh together? If South Park has you doubled-over in hysterics, and your partner is watching with disdain, decide if a similar sense of humor is important. There’s a difference between laughing together and laughing at the other person…

Politics: Do you pine for Palin? Are you mesmerized by Maddow? Whatever the answer is, evaluate the long-term viability of your relationship if you feel strongly about your political affiliation. Not everyone can pull off a Carville / Matalin marriage.

Religion: Is your religious devotion a significant aspect of your life? Does it matter if your partner worships in a synagogue, church, or mosque? Will your family accept your partner’s religion? Are you willing to convert religions? Can you date an atheist?

Marriage / Children: Is marriage and children a desired life goal? Does your partner share your sentiments? The issue of marriage and children is the ultimate non-negotiable. If your answer is unequivocally “yes”, and your partner’s answer is a definitive “no”, move on.

You can’t force or fabricate compatibility. Hold yourself accountable for the choices you are making; do not ignore the red flags! By screening people in the aforementioned categories, you will never be tempted to date someone who is not aligned with your standards.