The importance of a softened start-up
Wednesday, June 19, 2024.
John Gottman’s 1999 study, Predicting Divorce among Newlyweds from the First Three Minutes of a Marital Conflict, was a landmark event in couples therapy research.
Gottman discovered they could predict the likelihood of a couple’s divorce by observing just the first 3 minutes of a conflict discussion. Here’s what they discovered:
A softened start-up is perhaps the most essential part of making a valid complaint to your partner.
This landmark study reported that couples who eventually divorced began their conversations with intense negative emotion. They also tended to display far fewer positive emotions than those who remained a couple six years later.
The couples that eventually divorced had communication patterns that were both negative and critical.
This research reported that discussions invariably ended on the same note as the first. If you start an argument harshly by attacking your partner, you will end up with at least as much tension as you began with, if not more.
A Soft start-up is crucial to resolving relationship conflicts. If your arguments start softly, your relationship is far more likely to be stable and happy. Here are proven skills Dr. Gottman suggests for softening your startups when bringing up an issue of disagreement with your partner:
Remember in Your Softened Start-Up to Complain and Not Blame. No matter how “at fault” you feel that your partner is, approaching them with criticisms and accusations is not productive. What isn’t apparent, however, are the little things we say in arguments with our mate that make them feel criticized or blamed.
Eye rolling is a perfect example of this erratic, destructive behavior. According to Dr. Gottman, it’s all about approach! Instead of blaming your partner, “You said you would clean the backyard today, and it’s still a mess.”
Try a simple complaint…but use a softened start-up first.
“Hey, honey, I really appreciate your offer to help keep the backyard clean (that’s the softened start-up followed by the complaint), and you probably noticed some fallen leaves in the gutter and tennis balls everywhere. We agreed you’d rake and clean up after Buster. This is important to me. Can you get it done, please? What do you think?”
Make Statements that Start with “I” instead of “You.” Start your complaint with an “I” statement. You will sound less critical, and your partner won’t complicate the exchange by becoming defensive.
Instead of saying, “You are not listening to me,” you can say, “I don’t feel like you are hearing me right now.” Instead of “you don’t take any pride in our home,” say, “I think that we should try to clean up the walkways in front of the house.” Focus on how you’re feeling, not on how your partner is at fault.
That way, you will benefit from the discussion – you and your partner will likely feel that you are hearing and understanding each other more.
Describe What is Happening, But Don’t Evaluate or Judge. Instead of accusing or blaming your partner, describe what you see in the situation as if you were a movie camera. Avoid evaluating, judging or criticizing. Waive the white flag. Be respectful. Make it clear that you are not on the attack.
Instead of “you never watch Buster,” try saying, “I seem to be the only one keeping an eye on Buster this morning.”
Start with a Softened Start-up… and Then be Respectfully Direct. When you complain, you want to be heard and influence your partner. They will be more open to your point of view and deliver the desired behavioral change when you describe what you want.
Be direct. Expecting your partner to read your mind is not fair. Don’t expect to be understood if you don’t try to ask for what you want firmly and with courtesy and respect.
Be Polite and Appreciative. Respect and courtesy can help you influence your partner. Conflict does not mean that your connection and affection for them has to diminish. Softened start-ups are polite and courteous.
Adding phrases such as “please” and “I appreciate it when you…” can be useful in sustaining a vital, warm, emotional connection during an otherwise stressful conversation. Courtesy isn’t just for guests or strangers.
Say something different …talk to your partner as if you love them. This requires no elaboration. You know what you’re doing.
Don’t Store Things Up! In Ephesians 4:6, the Bible offers valuable advice for coupl“In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry. Couples are habitually overwhelmed and exhausted. Don’t let a laundry list of unresolved issues accumulate.
How to do a perfect softened start-up
Use Positive Language. Describe What You Want Instead.
I feel _________________ about (describe what a camera would see. Avoid judgmental or evaluative language) and I would prefer (specify what you would like instead).
“I feel stressed about watching Buster. And I would prefer it if you could keep an eye on him for the next two hours.”
“I feel tired of doing the dishes. I have done them every night this week. I would prefer that you helped me with them, or took responsibility for three nights a week.”
Assume that your partner wants to shine for you. Ask for what you want in specific detail.
Describe Your Emotional reaction to compliance
The Five words “that would make me happy” are a way of highlighting what you want.
“I feel tired of doing the dishes. I have done them every night this week. I would prefer that you helped me with them, or took responsibility for three nights a week. That would make me happy.”
Invite feedback in your softened start-up
When you have a complaint, something needs to change. That means you want to have a conversation about it.
But if you are critical, and your partner is defensive, you both become trapped in an attack-defend cycle that is a characteristic of miserable marriages. Invite feedback by starting with a softened start-up.
Ask the four magic words: What do you think?
“I feel tired of doing the dishes. I have done them every night this week. I would prefer that you help me with them, or take responsibility for three nights a week. That would make me happy. What do you think?”
The Key idea of the softened start-up is to wave the white flag. You want to keep the Four Horsemen out of your marital complaints. Dr. John Gottman’s research tells us that the way a conversation begins is the way it ends. Let it start for you both with a softened start-up.
Be Well, Stay Kind, and Godspeed.
