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What is Communication?
With over half of the marriages in the U.S. ending in divorce, learning to communicate effectively with your partner is crucial. Three common communication misdemeanors in marriage are overreacting, changing the subject and blaming each other, but with motivation and persistence, you can learn constructive communication patterns that can improve your significant relationships and rekindle the intimacy in your marriage. But before we can talk about effective communication, it's important to understand the destructive communication that permeates millions of marriages across the country. Here is a conversation between Jim and Priscilla, a married couple who have one son, Henry:
Jim: You create so many problems. Why did you tell Henry he could try out for football when he hasn't been getting good grades? You always mess things up.
Priscilla (defensively): I do not mess things up! Your problem is you never do anything but sit in front of the TV. If you spent more time with Henry, he would be doing better at school. I always end up doing all the work, and sometimes I wonder why I even married you.
Jim (harshly): You are always putting too much on Henry's plate and setting him up for failure. What kind of mother are you, anyway?
Can you spot the problems in their pattern of communicating? Jim and Priscilla attack each other with an overuse of the word "you," and they make exaggerated statements like "You always mess things up." They changed the subject from Henry playing football to Jim watching TV, to spending more time with Henry, to Priscilla's mothering. Their marriage is headed for trouble unless they get some form of relationship therapy to improve their communication. But just what is communication?
Communication: the act of communicating, intercourse, exchange of ideas, conveyance of information.
The very definition of communication includes an exchange of ideas from each side. When people overreact to one another, as often happens in close relationships, the actual exchange of ideas is blocked, and the possibility of reaching a mutual understanding is diminished. Over time, this lack of understanding often leads to resentment, which can gradually erode the intimacy in a relationship and lead to the ending of relationships that potentially could have become extraordinary. Developing intimate and fulfilling relationships with significant others can lay the foundation for wonderful lives. As a specialist in relationship therapy, (hyperlink if new site allows) I believe that relationships are our most valued resource. But just what is effective communication between two people?
Effective communication is sending the message you want to deliver, in a way that is understood by the other person. It is a two-way process that helps you productively deal with the important topics and common conflicts that are part of life. It involves being proactive in bringing up a problem and being patient in terms of listening while holding back and containing your feelings. Some barriers to strong communication include passivity, problems taking turns, and a lack of curiosity about the other person. Effective communication has many rewards such as more intimacy in your significant relationships, satisfaction and success in life, and positive relationships with your loved ones, friends, clients, customers and acquaintances.
You often have to deal with a variety of people to reach goals along your path, andeffective and empathic communication can help you build successful relationships and work as part of a team to get things done. If you grapple with a mental health challenge, you may want to find a coach, relationship therapist, minister or friend to help you with issues that make effective communication difficult.
Here are six important skills that contribute to the art of effective communication:
1. Become Aware of Your Thoughts and Feelings
If you observe a toddler,you generally seesadness, anger, happiness, joy, love and fear. These are the core emotions, and they often exist in a cluster. It's important to become aware of therange and depth of your feelings and tohang in there with them long enough to understand what you want to communicate and how you want to word your message. If you have trouble knowing what you feel or want, it can help to write down, three times during the day, how you feel about a significant or stressful event. For example, if your spouse gets annoyed with you for not picking up your clothes, you can note whether you feel annoyed, angry, hurt or frustrated as well as other thoughts that are on your mind.
Eric often felt annoyed with his wife, Angela, for nagging him about picking up, but by taking a day off and staying with his feelings longer, he was able to calm down and learn that he also felt hurt. In the process, Eric also became aware of what his thoughts were toward Angela. Eric would think to himself, "Gee, Angela is such a nag, she is always on my case." Instead of talking to her about this, he would often resort to giving her the silent treatment, which is an example of "passive aggressive behavior," and it infuriated Angela. By taking a time-out, Eric was able to get clear about both his thoughts and feelings, and then he could figure out what he wanted to communicate.
Communicating that you feel hurt is much more likely to be heard by a partner than communicating annoyance or anger. In relationship therapy, anger is often considered to be "the lid" on hurt. Knowing you are hurt enables you to soften your message, which can greatly contribute over time to an exceptional relationship. Stay with your feelings long enough to identify the deeper feelings and get clear what you want to communicate. Eric became stronger as a man as he developed his ability to be aware of the range of his feelings and to speak up to Angela instead of sitting on his feelings. This took some courage, but the process became easier over time.
2. Go from Confusion to Clarity
If you are new at getting in touch with your feelings, it may take some time to identify your deeper feelings and get clear about your intended message. You may feel confused and need to stay with the confusion long enough to reach a state of clarity. Most people don't like the feeling of confusion and will try to get out of this state. However, learning to tolerate some uncertainty is central to cultivating stronger and more dynamic relationship skills. It's totally normal to feel confused as you overcome defensive reactions and get to what is deep inside. People who are learning to be in touch with their feelings often need to go through periods of confusion to develop the ability to connect with core emotions. With practice, you can learn to become more connected to your core feelings, which can greatly lead to more intimacy over time.
Keep a journal or make notes: Regularly writing about your confusion can help you sort out your deeper feelings. You need to hang in with your inner self until you get some sense of what you are feeling. Remember, a healthy person knows what they feel and what to do about it. Try on the different feelings (anger, sadness, fear, excitement, frustration), and see what fits. You may have milder versions of these five feelings such as annoyed, hurt, anxious or upset, but they can all facilitate sharing about yourself rather than telling your partner what she or he did wrong.
Eric kept a journal about his feelings (possible hyperlink to Feelings article if site allows) and wrote about his anger toward his mother. This enabled him to realize that he was still angry and hurt by his mother's treatment of him while he was growing up and that these feelings were getting triggered by Angela's requests. Later, he was able to tell Angela that old feelings about his mother were leading to his rebellious behavior in their relationship. When a partner is able to truthfully talk about a desire to rebel, he or she reduces the probability of actually rebelling. Eric told Angela that he wanted to be closer to her and wanted to work on taking charge of his messes. This meant a lot to Angela, and she softened towards him and let him know she wanted to work on her style of communication.
Take responsibility: When both people take responsibility for their part in the stress or ineffective communication, significant progress is possible. In relationship therapy (possible hyperlink), Eric and Angela learned the importance of taking some time to get clear and, instead of blaming each other, owning their separate parts of the conflict.
Angela realized that she resorted to name-calling and blaming when they argued, so she decided to take charge of her part and communicate concerns in a more inviting way. Eric worked to become aware of his feelings and to speak up rather than using the silent treatment. He also took more responsibility around the house by picking up after himself, which meant a great deal to Angela.
It was a real breakthrough for Eric when he could say, "I feel like giving you the silent treatment because I'm hurt, and I want to get even with you." Angela felt a new closeness to Eric because she knew this statement took courage, and they both grew to experience a new intimacy in their relationship. They both agreed to have a "no name calling" rule and to work to own their parts in a problem rather than resorting to blaming each other.
Say what you mean: Before relationship therapy, Angela would use an ineffective way to communicate her annoyance at Eric by saying, "You are such a pig; you never pick up your clothes," which is an attacking and defensive way to communicate that would push Eric away. After therapy, she learned to say, "It annoys me when I see your mess, and it would mean a lot to me if you would pick up regularly." When Eric first heard this message, he was ready to overreact, but the words "it would mean a lot to me" triggered something positive in him. He held back instead. Let's look at the effect that those seven well-chosen words had on Eric.
Initially, he was a bit confused because he was conflicted about the whole subject of being neat. His mother had always barked at him about his room, so this subject brought up some negative feelings from the past. As a teen, Eric wanted to tell off his mother, but he didn't feel safe doing that because he was afraid she would yell at him and take away important privileges instead of hearing his concerns. He grew up in a family where his parents didn't talk things out, and he lacked role models for honest and healthy communication. As a result, he had some suppressed, or buried, feelings toward his mother that were being triggered by Angela. Conflict and over-control of his feelings were leading to confusion. He wondered to himself, "Who am I really angry with -- Angela, my mother or myself?
Take some time: To figure out this problem, Eric stayed with his confusion for several days, telling Angela that he needed to think things through. Angela respected Eric's need for some private time, and this understanding actually helped the two of them. Angela's words "it would mean a lot to me" stayed with Eric, and he felt motivated to change. With the pressure off, he was able to clarify that he wanted to have more intimacy with Angela and that picking up was worth the extra effort. He began to understand his deeper feelings by tolerating a few days of confusion. Although it was challenging, he stuck with the process and it paid off.
Take a time-out: Eric and Angela learned to take a time-out when they were heading toward destructive communication. If you notice that your communication with your partner or spouse is going nowhere, take a time-out from the discussion so you can each calm down and identify what you really want to communicate. On another occasion, Eric and Angela were fighting about issues in their sexual relationship. Eric remembered to take a time-out on this delicate topic and brought the subject up a day later when they had both calmed down. Fortunately, Angela was able to take in what Eric was saying, and they were able to have a meaningful discussion. Each felt understood, and coming to a compromise drew the two closer.
An excellent book on communication and being honest is "Tell Me No Lies," written by Dr. Ellyn Bader and Dr. Peter Pearson. This book will help you learn to communicate effectively and speak your truth. If you are not able to succeed on your own, brief relationship therapy can make all the difference. (possible link to site)
3. Be an Activator, not a Procrastinator
Procrastination is postponing the completion of a task that leads to a desired outcome; it's a universal problem that can put your life on hold and interfere with creating a wonderful relationship. You can never get back the lost time, but you can make good use of your time now. Learning to be an activator, or self-starter, is essential to the discovery of an exceptional relationship with yourself and with others.
Far too many couples sit on their uncomfortable feelings and avoid bringing up delicate or difficult topics because they are afraid of the consequences. In relationship therapy, this is often called "conflict avoidance." Why be an avoider when you can learn to manage your feelings in a proactive manner? Activators do the following:
bring up problems as soon as they become aware of them and have figured out how they want to approach problemstake charge and initiate action to communicate with others
manage their anxiety because they want things to run smoothly -- You can do this by focusing on your breathing, making a positive affirmation such as "anxiety is a sign I am growing," and exercising before having the conversation. Really focus on what the other person is saying to take your mind off of yourself.
want to develop the motivation to work toward healthy relationships
share positive feelings and appreciations -- I've seen many couples who want to get closer, but often one of them fails to share appreciation with the other. Learn to communicate your appreciations as soon as you notice them, and you'll be making a giant step toward a flourishing relationship.
4. Take a Positive Approach
When you are upset by your partner, it can be difficult to take a positive approach. It's much easier to harbor negative feelings and forget the wonderful attributes of your partner. Negative feelings can lead to negative, reactive statements if you don't learn to hold back, use these six tools, and remember the good things. As a relationship therapist, I know that unresolved problems require us to put our best foot forward, holding onto the things that matter to us about the other person.
Ted periodically got annoyed at his wife, Rachel, for being too rigid with their kids. After some relationship therapy, he learned to bring up a problem the same day it happened rather than sitting on it until he was ready to explode. This helped keep the conversation calm, and it broke the pattern of explosive, go-nowhere communication. He learned to communicate the following type of message that exemplifies a positive, artful approach:
Rachel, I know you love the kids and are a great mother, but I get angry and hurt when you start laying out a list of rules for the kids. I would love to see you be more supportive when the kids are doing well because you mean the world to them.
Remember to start the communication with something positive, stressing something you value in your partner. Then proceed to dive into the difficult discussion, and remember to make your message clear, effective and empathic. Train your brain to remember the positive things about your partner and try to put yourself in the other's shoes. Rachel could take in Ted's message very well because he artfully communicated it.
Of course, there will be times when your partner will get defensive, so ask your partner or spouse, "How can I word things in a way that will not make you defensive?" and then listen closely to your partner. If the conversation seems to be going nowhere, take a time-out and come back to it. Consider saying to your partner "I need a time-out because I want to get clear about my feelings and get closer to you. I will schedule a time for us to talk in the next two days." A time-out can turn a problem area into an opportunity for greater intimacy. Whoever decides to take the time-out needs to be responsible for bringing the subject up again in a day or two, or some time agreed upon by both partners.
5. Overcome Resistance
Many people have visions about the kind of lives they want to lead, but they don't get around to taking the steps necessary to achieve their goals. Part of actualizing your potential in life is learning to do these things when you don't want to. This is where developing your emotional endurance and willpower really pays off. The following is a mental-health rhyme that is a form of cognitive-behavior therapy. It can provide you with forward-moving thinking. You can create your own message that moves you forward, but this is one that worked for me and is easy to remember:
Persistence
I can pull myself up, against my own resistance
To get a job done that I don't want to do
And I can do it over and over, for as long as it takes
To alter my existence, based on my insistence
That I can create the world that I want.
2006 by Patrice Wolters
Learning to overcome resistance is sometimes the hardest part in making real change because it feels like you don't even want to get started. This is where "kick-in-the-pants" therapy really pays off. Just getting started is an important part of healthy communication because so many people avoid conflict. One good way to get started is to tell your partner or spouse how much you don't want to bring up a topic. This can facilitate a discussion that can lead to actually bringing up the uncomfortable part.
Most people avoid conflict because they think that they don't want to hurt the other person, but in most cases they are really avoiding dealing with theirown feelingsand their fear of being hurt. Remember, you can learn to tolerate uncomfortable feelings and to manage discomfort, which will increase your probability of reaching the best stage of your life. Say to yourself, "I can get through this conversation and come out the other side. I will be a stronger person for it."
6. Communicate Empathically
This skill often takes some practice, but it is well worth the effort. Mostly it involves "just listening" with your heart to what the other person is saying. With active listening, you can then feed back to the other person (spouse, boss, friend, etc.) what you hear is being said. To do this, listen for the inner feelings of the other person, and focus on what you hear that they want. This method will help you to calm down and focus, and it will invite your partner to bring up topics she or he may prefer to avoid.
Rachel, who sets many rules, might say to Ted, "I understand that you are feeling bothered by the number of rules I set and that you want me to be more balanced with the kids." This type of response lets Ted know that Rachel heard him. It also lowers his annoyance and enables Rachel to focus on him and not her own feelings about being criticized.
While this may seem simple, it is quite a complex process; it involves putting your own feelings aside while showing your partner that you heard his or her response. Managing your own internal strife, listening deeply to what your partner is saying, striving to put yourself in his or her shoes, and asking good questions to promote empathy and understanding will help you develop an extraordinary relationship. And always remember the positive traits that first attracted you to your partner.
If you have lost touch with the positive about your partner, you can learn to find your way forward to a life-enhancing relationship. Remember there is hope, there is help and it can be just a phone call away.
Patrice Wolters, Ph.D., has been studying ways to improve relationship therapy, child and adolescent therapy, and the treatment and diagnosis of bipolar II disorder for over 22 years as a licensed psychologist. She has helped many couples revitalize their marriages, improve family functioning and create healthy environments for children and teens. She is particularly interested in the early diagnosis and treatment of challenges in young people so they can go on to have amazing relationships, resiliency and a joyous life. Her trademark "Go from a Maze to Amazing" represents her model of therapy, which is based in the emerging area of positive psychology. For more information on positive change, visit http://www.patricewolters.com/.
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