Richard Nicastro

How To Ruin a Perfectly Good Relationship In 3 Easy Steps



Posted: Tuesday, February 12, 2008

by
http://www.StrengthenYourRelationship.com

There are so many articles out there on relationships and marriages that it can make your head spin: "How to communicate with your husband even if he's a complete jackass"; "The 72 secrets to lasting love, even when she can't stand to look at you"; "13 fun ways to increase intimacy after your spouse has been deported."

But what if you're in a solid, happy relationship and you have absolutely no interest in improving your marriage? Then what? Where do you turn? Where are the articles for people like you? Or maybe you're eager to knock your relationship down a few pegs so it's more in line with the rest of the couples on your block. After all, it's no fun being the golden couple in a sea of mediocre relationships. Enough already with all of us self-proclaimed relationship "experts" telling you that it's possible to recapture your adolescent passion with the balding, paunchy snorer who has sawed away next to you for the last thirty-five years.  

Healthy relationships like yours have been neglected for too long. But that's about to change!  Here are three  guaranteed  steps that will knock the life and vibrancy right out of your relationship in a matter of days. (Please Note: Use of these methods for more than three days can lead to a spike in name-calling, profanity, door-slamming, and frantic calls the legal team of Vito and Vito.)  

Step 1:

The "I doubt it" technique. No matter what your partner says, respond to him/her with the phrase, "I doubt it." Whenever new methods of communication designed to improve intimacy are practiced, couples report considerable difficulty in using the new skills in a consistent and reliable manner. They commonly report that the methods feel too unnatural or artificial.

Not so with the "I doubt it" technique. Most couples report that speaking this way feels 100% natural and couples seem very eager to practice this skill. Here are a few examples of this technique in action:

Q: "Can you pick up the kids later?"   A: "I doubt it."

Q: "I have something important to discuss. Can we talk later?"   A: "I doubt it."

Q:  "Honey, do you still find me attractive?"    A: "I doubt it."

Step 2:

After two days of using the "I doubt it" technique, you are ready for step two.

The inappropriate laughter technique (ILT). The ILT requires practice. If you don't have one already, you'll need to develop a hearty belly-laugh. This technique will only work if your partner thinks you're seriously laughing at him or her. Many people report that they practice while driving to and from work.

The ILT is to be used under two specific sets of circumstances:

A) Every time your partner is getting dressed or undressed in front of you;

B)  Whenever your partner attempts to communicate something of importance.

For example:

Here's what your partner says:  "I felt you were being unfair when you said I don't do enough around the house."

Here's what your partner's statement looks like when you add the ILT:  "I felt [HA!] you were being unfair [HA! HA!] when you said I don't [HEE!] do enough around the house [HA! HA! HO! HO!]."

Isn't that better?  Now your partner can't even get his/her own serious statement out uninterrupted, and you're also amused in the process. Feel free to jazz up this approach by improvising. Try bending forward while holding your stomach with each laugh-it really intensifies the effect.

Step 3:

Ungratefulness Diary. This one requires the most effort on your part but it gives a lot of bang for it's buck. Some prep time is needed.  Try to put aside all the things you love and appreciate about your partner. Then reflect on all the ways in which your partner gets under your skin-focus your attention on how s/he annoys, irritates, and bothers you. Visualizing your partner's undesirable habits adds to the effectiveness of this exercise by forcing you to relive all the ways you feel exasperated by him/her.  

For example, an entry might look like this: God, I hate the way she chews.  I mean, I'd rather watch a crow pick the eye out of a dead squirrel.  I don't think I can eat near her anymore.  

For maximum effect it is recommended that you keep a daily journal and add to the list. This will help you become more and more attuned to the ways in which your partner's behavior irks you. A side benefit to keeping an ungratefulness diary is that you'll begin to overlook all the kind, generous and considerate things your partner does for you.  

There you have it. A solid, full-proof way to kick your relationship behind the knees so that it falls flat on its face.  You'll be amazed at how quick and effective these methods are. You can thank me later.  

If it turns out that you're one of those people who insists on building a healthy relationship (yawn…), you always have the option to visit my website www.StrengthenYourRelationship.com, where you can download two FREE reports and sign up for a monthly Relationship Toolbox Newsletter. But be warned, you'll only discover ways to improve the connection with your partner and make your relationship stronger. Is that what you really want?

Rich Nicastro, Ph.D. is a psychologist and relationship coach who is passionate about helping couples protect the sanctuary of their relationship.
Dr. Richard Nicastro is co-owner of LifeTalk Coaching, an internet coaching business that works with individuals and couples to help them improve the quality of their most valued asset--their relationship. Clients can choose from several extensive programs for couples, according to their needs and goals. Rich also conducts workshops for couples on a wide range of relationship and marital issues. Recent workshops have included: Communication Skills, Keeping Intimacy Alive, Turning Conflicts into Opportunities, and Men and Intimacy.

Rich is a psychologist and relationship coach with fifteen years of experience helping couples build stronger relationships. He has supervised therapists and has taught at several universities. Visit www.StrengthenYourRelationship.com to learn more about Dr. Nicastro and LifeTalk Coaching.
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