- Discuss expectations before starting a project or free time spent together
- As a couple, discuss priorities to spend your time
- Make time commitments together as a couple
- Look at individual gifts and how to best use them for your relationship
- CHOOSE your attitude before starting work together
- Choose to support your spouse’s to-do’s, job, dreams, etc.
- Other-centeredness, generosity & selflessness vs. independence, self-absorption & stubbornness
- Focus on why you married each other
- Choose to believe that your spouse’s intentions are positive
- Examine behaviors when you struggle with teamwork
- What do my words tell my spouse?
- What does my tone of voice and body language convey? I’m impatient, I don’t care, I’m irritated, I have no time for you
- Am I avoiding? Am I being passive aggressive?
- Be open to compromise
- Recognize that there is your way, my way, and many other ways to get something done that we haven’t even considered yet
- Let go of the need to be right, need for control, need to accomplish MY stuff
- Communicate openly and in a spirit of love by asking questions to better understand the other’s needs, motivations, and feelings
- What do you think we should do?
- Why is this important to you?
- What would you like for me to do to support you?
- What can I do better?
- Joke and have fun together!