12 Things You Should Be Doing For a Successful Relationship

By Dr. Fran Walfish

Dr. Fran Walfish, a Beverly Hills family and relationship psychotherapist, author of The Self-Aware Parent, and costar on We TV's Sex Box, lets us in on some important tips for keeping your relationship healthy.

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  1. Commit to the belief that obstacles and disappointments in your life are opportunities to grow.
  2. Communicate with each other, especially when conflicts arise. Talking is the glue that holds relationships together.
  3. Do not try to sweep away, avoid, or protect yourself from wrestling with a challenge on your own.
  4. Be brutally honest with yourself and own your feelings.
  5. Define your boundaries. Know where your comfort zone is and be prepared to clearly and kindly articulate this when someone crosses the line.
  6. Work on expressing anger when you feel it in the moment. Don't be afraid to say it. It's much better to be a straight-shooter than a dishonest person.
  7. Don't be afraid to say, "I don't know." You can always come back and answer later but you can't erase a lie told.
  8. Always be curious and open enough to look within and become more self-aware.
  9. Be kind and nice to others.
  10. Do not strive for perfection. Be "good enough."
  11. We cannot shield ourselves from hurdles. The best we can do is give ourselves coping skills to deal with all that will come our way.
  12. Praise every increment toward your own independence and take pride, as you should, in growing outward into the world.