Six Key Steps on Having a Successful Relationship

By Jake R Reynolds

1. Know that you cannot change the person that you are with.
 This part is as or more important as people get into relationships and find things out about their partner that they hate or feel are impossible to stand, but they feel that down the line the person will either grow out of it, or change later. Now with this I am not talking about small habits like leaving the seat up after using the bathroom, or forgetting to take the dog for a walk. Those things are trainable and are not built into your DNA. Everyone has little quirks that their partner does not like. However, unwillingness to compromise or being a homebody when you're a die-hard clubber are not things that you will see change too often, at least not by the majority or people. Or if they are a person that cuts deep when having an argument and always yells at you and says hurtful things, then chances are they will stay like that for the duration of your relationship. Now with a problem like the one just mentioned, once or twice is passable. Everyone deserved a second chance depending on the situation.

 This is the "ehh, maybe they were angry" pass and not like this all the time. OK, I get that. But again, some things are just how a person is. You cannot CHANGE a person, and if you are trying too then that shows that you are not into the person that you are with, but rather into the thought of how you want them to be. Not good, and not something that you want to rely on because most of the time it's not going to happen.

2. Communication is key.
 Talk, talk, talk, and then talk some more! Seriously, never stop talking to your partner about anything and everything. The more you let out now, the fewer problems you will have later. Trust me. I know sometimes you don't want to talk or you're not in the mood but this stops many arguments from developing if you guys just discuss your problems with one another. Things don't get to fester and true feelings come out early on.

3. Stay faithful.
 This one is the deal breaker. If you're going to cheat, why be in a relationship? I don't get it. Stay away from relationships if you know that you want to be with more than one person. No having your cake and eating it too. I know my fellas that are good dudes are tired of trying to be the good guy and getting played out, and women are tired of labeling us as no good and dogs. So why help the cause. Let's take care of business and grow up. Stop playing with people's hearts and treat them the way you would want to be treated.

4. Have your own lives.
 It's great to get lost in each other's world, and all that lovely dovey stuff, but as close as you guys are, you should also have separate hobbies and things of that nature. This keeps the relationship fresh and helps you guys keep your identities but also not allowing you to get so wrapped up in each other's worlds that you forget your own friends and family. Getting to know each other's friends is great, and even hanging out with them is fun too, but to share any and everything with each other can get boring a bring a stale taste to the relationship.

5. Treat each other with respect.
 This is something that many people in relationships lack. They sometimes feel that once they are with someone, which person becomes their property and that could not be further from the truth. You need to always treat your partner with respect, and love.

6. Love your partner for being the person they are.
 Loving that person for them is one of the best things you can do. Love goes along way. Love them when they are at their worst like you love them when they are at their best. Trust me, they will love you back! I promise.