Relationship Secret: 5 to 1 Ratio

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I've managed to get myself into a lot of existential conversations over the last decade.

And, not surprisingly, sometimes the topic turn to love...

What is love?
Can love between two people last indefinitely?
How well can you know another person?
Is marriage a ruse?
How do people find each other in this vast universe?

Blah, blah, blah.  Drunken girl (and guy) chat in their mid-twenties can lead to these questions.

Well, Dr. Gottman has some answers around marital success.

He can predict with 90% accuracy if a couple will get divorced.

How?

It's the 5:1 ratio.

For every 1 negative interaction with a spouse, you need 5 positive interactions.

If a couple does not meet this ratio, they are likely to get divorced.

I think the same goes for any type of relationship -- whether it be with colleagues, friends or parents.

So, next time you say something hurtful, make sure you have 5 nice things ready.