Eight Basic Steps to Maintaining a Good Relationship

1.    Be aware of what you andyour partner want for yourselves and what you want from the relationship.

2.    Let one another know whatyour needs are.

3.    Realize that your partnerwill not be able to meet all your needs. Some of these needs will have to bemet outside of the relationship.

4.    Be willing to negotiate andcompromise on the things you want from one another.

5.    Do not demand that apartner change to meet all your expectations. Work to accept the differencesbetween your ideal mate and the real person you are dating.

6.    Try to see things from theother's point of view. This doesn't mean that you must agree with one anotherall the time, but rather that both of you can understand and respect eachother's differences, points of view, and separate needs.

7.    Where critical differencesdo exist in your expectations, needs, or opinions, try to work honestly andsincerely to negotiate. Seek professional help early rather than waiting untilthe situation becomes critical.

8.    Do your best to treat yourpartner in a way that says, "I love you and trust you, and I want to workthis out."