This week’s posts on The Gottman Relationship Blog have addressed the importance of integrity and the place for judgment in relationships. If they have you alarmed about the present state of your partnership, you may be experiencing something Dr. Gottman calls “Negative Sentiment Override.”
If you are experiencing Negative Sentiment Override (NSO), do not be alarmed. It does not necessarily spell doom for your relationship. Our research has allowed us to devise tools for combating NSO, helping thousands of couples find their way back to a positive view of their partners and to stability in their relationships! (You can find a great number of these tools in Dr. Gottman’s books, such as The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work, The Relationship Cure, and What Makes Love Last?)
We would like to share one of these tools with you today. Below you will find one of the many exercises Dr. Gottman has designed to help you work towards Positive Sentiment Override from The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work. When you and your partner have some free time this weekend, follow these instructions:
Exercise: I Appreciate…
From the list below, choose three items that you think are characteristic of your partner. If there are more than three, still select just three (you can choose another three if you decide to do this exercise again). Even if you can recall only one instance when your partner displayed this characteristic, you can choose it.
Loving, Sensitive, Brave, Intelligent, Thoughtful, Generous, Loyal, Truthful, Strong, Energetic, Sexy, Decisive, Creative, Imaginative, Fun, Attractive, Interesting, Supportive, Funny, Considerate, Affectionate, Organized, Resourceful, Athletic, Cheerful, Coordinated, Graceful, Elegant, Gracious, Playful, Caring, A great friend, Exciting, Full of plans, Shy, Vulnerable, Committed, Involved, Expressive, Active, Careful, Reserved, Adventurous, Receptive, Reliable, Responsible, Dependable, Nurturing, Warm, Virile, Kind, Gentle, Practical, Lusty, Witty, Relaxed, Beautiful, Handsome, Rich, Calm, Lively, A great partner, A great parent, Assertive, Protective, Sweet, Tender, Powerful, Flexible, Understanding, Totally silly…
For each item you chose, briefly think of an actual incident that illustrates this characteristic of your partner. Write about it in your notebook or journal as follows:
1. Characteristic:
___________________________________________
Incident:
___________________________________________
2. Characteristic:
___________________________________________
Incident:
___________________________________________
3. Characteristic:
___________________________________________
Incident:
___________________________________________
Now share your list with your partner. Let him or her know what it is about these traits that you value so highly. Build your Emotional Bank Account! Wash behind your ears! Have a great weekend!
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