(David Sunshine)
2. Watch your relationships - to preserve your determination to make your marriage succeed, don't get too close flirt with members of the opposite sex.
3. Pay full attention - listen to your spouse when he/she talks to you; learn to listen, learn to hear. Don't interpret/correct him/her when he/she is telling a story.
4. Share enjoyable activities /Develop a genuine interest in his/her work and hobbies.
5. Don't expect to get more from your spouse than you give of yourself.
6. Don't lose your sense of humor, have fun with your spouse.
7. Don't demean your spouse in public or in private - be careful not to criticize your spouse in front of others.
8. Don't keep score - don't walk around with a watchful eyes making sure your partner carries his/her share of the workload. Instead, take the view that it doesn't matter if your end up doing morethan half of what has to be done.
9. Assess your own mistakes and acknowledge them.
10. When you apologize, mean it, and sound like it. Be short on blame and long on forgiveness.
11. Be willing to change your opinions and attitudes - look at changes in your life as an opportunity to grow.
12. Don't try to change your spouse; accept your spouse "as is." Don't compare.
13. Be Polite - be courteous to your spouse. When speaking with him/her, use phrases such as "please," "thank you," "would you mind if I...."
14. Learn to argue respectfully. Never say "I told you so" - when you're proven right after an argument, your spouse will realize this on his/her own. There is no need to point it out.
15. Watch out for the little things - do a "weather" (how his/her day is going) check during the day. Remembering your mate's birthday with a little gift can mean a lot. Even just bringing your partner a chocolate bar or a novel you think he or she will enjoy.
16. Greet your partner happily - smile at your mate when you greet him/her. It will make your spouse feel appreciated and loved. Even if you're in bad mood, be sure to flash that grin.
17. Verbalize your needs - don't expect your partner to read your mind.
18 Minimize monetary conflicts - if you find yourselves arguing over money, work out a system the two of your can live with.
19. Make trust and forgiveness your default mode.
20. Focus more on what your partner does right than what he or she does wrong.
21. Be loving/be affectionate.
22. Don't give up - realize that even in the best marriages couples have sometimes some conflicts.
