Practices

Every practice in the library, in one list. Narrow it by how long you have, who it is written for, and where you are right now.

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71 practices

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Make one greeting or parting linger a few seconds longer than usual today.

A held hug at the door, a real kiss, not the quick automatic one. Let it last.

A minuteAffection and touchGottmanQur’an 30:21One line of research

Kiss, hold, and touch each other daily, at partings, reunions, and before bed. Learn the touch your partner likes.

Affection is not only for special moments. Small, regular touch keeps warmth and closeness alive.

A minuteAffection and touchGottmanQur’an 30:21One line of research

When your partner is up against something, take their side: this is our problem, we will face it together.

Even if you see the other side, do not side with the enemy against your partner. Stand with them first.

A minuteAnswering bidsGottmanQur’an 9:71One line of research

Once today, ask about a stress from outside the two of you, then just listen. No fixing.

Twenty minutes on their side. Your only job is to understand and be on their team.

Twenty minutesAnswering bidsGottmanQur’an 30:21One line of research

Once a day, take turns unloading the day's outside stress while the other just listens and supports, not fixes.

Ten minutes each on stress from beyond the relationship. The listener gives empathy, not solutions.

Twenty minutesAnswering bidsGottmanQur’an 5:2One line of research

Looking for a whole subject rather than a single practice? Start from the nine areas.

Before you walk out, say three things: this is getting heated, I need a bit of space, I will be back and we will carry on. The sentence is the skill, not the walking.

An exit with no words is read as punishment, and the other person will usually follow you to finish it, which is how a break turns into the worst…

A minuteChoosing your responseGottmanQur’an 33:70One line of research

In the next argument, make one repair attempt, a softer word, a small step back.

Can we start over. I hear you. Let me try again. A hand held out mid-fight.

A minuteStaying regulated in conflictGottmanQur’an 49:10Seen more than once

Name the one thing you cannot give up here, and the parts you can flex. Then ask theirs.

Most deadlocks are a small core need wrapped in a lot that is negotiable. Protect the core, trade the edges.

A minuteStaying regulated in conflictGottmanQur’an 4:128Seen more than once

If you go silent under stress, say so instead of vanishing: I need a pause, I will be back.

Stonewalling reads as contempt from the other side. A word turns a wall into a window.

A minuteStaying regulated in conflictGottmanQur’an 17:53One line of research

Yield to win: give ground in a disagreement the way you would for someone you love, not as a defeat.

Accepting influence from your partner is strength, not weakness. Generosity in giving in wins the relationship.

A minuteStaying regulated in conflictGottmanQur’an 2:237One line of research

When you feel the urge to defend yourself, take a small piece of responsibility instead.

You are right, I am sorry I was late; I will watch the time. A small yes lowers the heat fast.

A minuteStaying regulated in conflictGottmanQur’an 4:135One line of research

Raise the issue as a complaint about a behavior, not an attack on their character. Skip you always and you never.

I was scared when you did not call is a complaint. You are so selfish is an attack. Aim for the first.

A minuteStaying regulated in conflictGottmanQur’an 49:11One line of research

Open a hard topic with I feel, about what, I need. Ask for what you want, do not expect mind-reading.

I feel upset that the dishes are left out. I would appreciate the kitchen cleaned at night. Clear and kind.

A minuteStaying regulated in conflictGottmanQur’an 33:70One line of research

Speak in I-statements about a specific situation. Drop the you-statements, the blame, and the always and never.

I felt worried when the call did not come lands. You are so thoughtless attacks. Stay with I and the specific.

A minuteStaying regulated in conflictGottmanQur’an 33:70One line of research

If you take a break from a fight, name when you will come back, and come back.

Give me twenty minutes, I am not leaving this. Then return, calmer, as promised.

Five minutesStaying regulated in conflictGottmanQur’an 3:134One line of research

For a compromise, name your one true core need, then be genuinely flexible on everything around it.

Separate the small inflexible core from the wide flexible area. Guard the core, give on the rest.

Five minutesStaying regulated in conflictGottmanQur’an 4:128One line of research

On a stuck, recurring fight, stop trying to persuade. First explore the dream or value behind each position.

Gridlock rarely yields to argument. Set persuasion aside and get curious about what the issue means to each of you.

Five minutesStaying regulated in conflictGottmanQur’an 3:159One line of research

Before you try to persuade, summarize your partner's position back until they say yes, that is it.

No persuasion lands until your partner feels understood. Interview them, then reflect their view to their satisfaction.

Five minutesStaying regulated in conflictGottmanQur’an 16:125One line of research

After a fight has cooled, revisit it once without blame, each saying how it felt.

Not who was right. How it felt for me, how it felt for you, and what we each needed.

Twenty minutesStaying regulated in conflictGottmanQur’an 42:40One line of research

On the fight you keep having, stop trying to win it and ask what it means to them underneath.

What are you hoping for, or afraid of, in this. Then only listen for the dream beneath.

Twenty minutesStaying regulated in conflictGottmanQur’an 4:19One line of research