When it comes to millionaire success habits, it's helpful to dive deep into their daily mindset. What motivates them to earn more money? What is their vision and how clear is their end goal? What are their beliefs about money, and how are they different from yours? In this Bonus episode of My Extra Mile, David T. S. Wood talks with multi-millionaire couple, Jennifer Shultz and Jono Patch, about how they've found success and the mindset that got them there.   Do you want to confidently look back at your journey so far and learn from any mistakes you've made? Do you want to let go of your negative thoughts about money and the guilt of earning more than you need? If you're ready to change your money mindset and implement some millionaire success habits, this episode is a must-hear!   You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...   Moving past negative thoughts about money Identifying your motivation for pursuing your career path Defining your idea of the perfect amount of money Learning what the big earners in your community know that you don't Clarifying your beliefs about money The value of time and learning how to get your ducks in a row The legal and ethical side effects of investing Creating the lifestyle of your dreams Life lessons surrounding your career Figuring out what you don't know and how to learn more   Connect with Jennifer Schultz and Jono Patch Follow Jennifer on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jennifer.schultz.7731 Follow Jono on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jono.patch   Connect with David T. S. Wood Follow David on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/davidtswood Follow David on Instagram: @DavidTSWood Follow David on Twitter: @DavidTSWood1    

It can be easy to lose track of your goals and fall into a downward spiral of debt when you don’t believe in yourself. In this enlightening episode, David T. S. Wood and his guest, Janey Snelgrove, talk about the power of belief and how to create a vision of the life you want. Janey also shares a hands-on activity you can do with your family to unite your vision and your efforts, and help you reach your goals together. If you’re ready to change your life and rediscover your personal belief as a network marketer, this episode is a must-hear! You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...   Growing yourself to grow your potential Creating a vision board to keep you focused on your goals Discovering how to believe in yourself and your dreams Identifying your limiting beliefs Learning how to manage your income from day one What is your vision for the future and how do you get there?   Janey is a believer in the power of a clear vision. Try out her vision board exercise with your family to create your own set of specific goals and dreams. Permit yourself time to dream about your wants and be specific about what would bring you the most joy in every area of your life.   What is important to you? What do you want most? (Family time, relationship building, exotic trips, dream home, income goals, etc.) What words can help you gain clarity as you set your goals? What are your financial goals? What are your health goals?   Once you’ve identified these goals clearly, place your vision board somewhere you will see it daily to keep you focused and motivated. Once you’ve started to reach some of those goals, or if your goals change (which they should!) create a new board or update the one you have to keep it relevant. Learning how to believe in yourself and your business   Your journey and your upbringing influence your understanding of business and finances. What are your beliefs in money, and what is your knowledge of how to manage it? Do you believe that you have to work hard to earn money? Have you been told it’s the root of all evil?   These sabotaging thoughts can make you question your business decisions. Your upbringing has developed a default blueprint of your thoughts, feelings, and actions surrounding everything you do in your life. By identifying the unproductive parts of your blueprint, you can rewrite them to stay focused on the life you want.   How to manage your income from day one   When you have a job and a network marketing side hustle it can be tempting to overspend and end up in the same financial situation you’ve been working to escape. Revisit why you took on your side-hustle in the first place and create a clear vision of where you want your money to go. Once you see that path, do the work to make sure that you reach your end goal!   The myth about residual income is that you do the work once and then keep earning, even while you sleep. But in reality, you have to keep working to maintain your ideal income. Your side hustle is a real profession and should be treated with the same amount of effort you invested at the start. You have to keep working, building, and learning to keep it producing.   Janey’s final thoughts are that when you’re digging yourself into a financial hole, figure out what led you there and then choose to stop the bad habits. Stopping habits is just as important as starting them, so by making this change you will be back on track towards your goals! Connect with Janey Snelgrove Janey’s Website: https://www.janeysnelgrove.com/ Follow Janey on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yourmoneyandhealthmatters/ Follow Janey on Instagram: @janey.snelgrove Connect with David T. S. Wood Follow David on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/davidtswood Follow David on Instagram: @DavidTSWood Follow David on Twitter: @DavidTSWood1    

Does the concept of loving work seem completely foreign to you? Take a moment before continuing to write down a few words that represent how you feel about your current work situation. Are the words you chose mostly positive or negative?   In this bonus episode of My Extra Mile, David T. S. Wood and his guests, Jennifer Schultz and Jono Patch, discuss falling back in love with what you do for a living, rediscovering your “why,” making the most of where you are, and knowing when it’s time to choose a new path. If you want to change your work language from “have to” to “get to” and get a realistic look at learning and mastering new skills, this episode is a must-hear!   You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...   Falling in love with your work Inviting passion and purpose to your day Making the conscious decision to find joy in every moment Changing the language, you use about your job to stay positive Leaving what you know to discover something new Going from stuck to success Acknowledging the time, it takes to learn and master a new skill   Connect with Jennifer Schultz and Jono Patch   Follow Jennifer on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jennifer.schultz.7731 Follow Jono on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jono.patch   Connect with David T. S. Wood   Follow David on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/davidtswood Follow David on Instagram: @DavidTSWood Follow David on Twitter: @DavidTSWood1      

 Do you have a clear understanding of your money mindset and what steps you could take to find financial freedom? In this episode, David T. S. Wood discusses this topic with a panel of money experts who aren't afraid to get real about working towards their goals. They share real-world experiences, tips to help you identify your goals, and the importance of having more than one income stream. Don't be afraid to talk about money anymore! We all need it to survive, so give this episode a listen if you want to achieve YOUR financial freedom.   You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...   Starting or increasing a side-hustle Thrifty tips to help you save money for the big stuff Figuring out where your money is going and how to redirect it The habits of a successful money mindset Steps you can take today for a successful side-hustle The difference between financial independence and financial freedom A BONUS game to help you find your magic money number   How can a money mindset help you plan for the future?   It doesn't matter what industry your primary source of income is; if the market hits a rough spot you can be in SERIOUS trouble. Setting yourself up with an income-producing side-hustle can be the difference between struggling and succeeding. Talk about money with your family, friends, and colleagues to discover new opportunities for a backup plan. It's never a good idea to rely on one income stream and this can help make sure you and your family are never caught off guard.   The importance of knowing where your money is going   Do you know where your money goes every month? Have you ever sat down to identify all the different recurring expenses on your account and identified items you should eliminate? Having a money mindset means making a conscious decision to tell your money where to go. By understanding where your money is going and choosing how to use it, you can then identify new ways to make that money multiply!   Steps you can take today for a successful side-hustle   Are you ready to get started? Follow these easy steps to change your money mindset!   Change your money story! Reprogram your mindset so you're continually monitoring where your money is going. Educate yourself by studying money masters and TALK to people for real-world ideas. You have the time to invest in your financial future if you want to, so do the work today to find your success!   Cut-out expenses you don't need Protect your income and start saving more by eliminating items you don't need or want. Set a budget for spending and saving so you can make sure you're covered both in the present and in the future.   Create additional income streams Choose a side-hustle that can be operated online and from home. If there is a product, choose something reoccurring and consumable. Commit to working with that company for at least five years to give yourself enough time to learn the business. Pay yourself first and, most importantly, don't spend all of your money each time you earn!   BONUS: A game to help you focus on your ideal life   Financial independence is being able to choose how you spend your time and money on your terms. But, financial freedom is having enough money to meet your needs and wants while still having enough to donate and share.   Play a game with your family where you each imagine a life of financial freedom.   What would your magic number be? What would your life be like and what would you do? How would you spend your money?   Write this down and reflect on it regularly to stay motivated towards your goal.    Resources & People Mentioned   Rich Dad, Poor Dad, by Robert T. Kiyosaki Mark Twain Quote Warren Buffet The Richest Man in Babylon, by George S. Clason Jeff Bezos   Connect with Andrew Logan   Follow Andrew on Instagram @AndrewJamesLogan Andrew Logan's Book: The Way Out   Connect with Lloyd Ross   Follow Lloyd on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lloyd.ross.7 Follow Lloyd on Instagram @LloydJamesRoss   Connect with Shawn Owen   Follow Shawn on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shawn.owen.35 Follow Shawn on Instagram @ShawnOwen15 Shawn's Website: Chipsy and Lulu   Connect with Courtney Bouchard   Follow Courtney on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/courtneycave   Connect with David T. S. Wood   Follow David on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/davidtswood Follow David on Instagram: @DavidTSWood Follow David on Twitter: @DavidTSWood1    

When it comes to network marketing, it can be challenging to know when to trust your gut and make a commitment to an unknown path. Kyle Nekrash is no stranger to the thrill of needing to make a quick decision and often follows his gut not only in business but through every adventure he takes. In this video conversation, Kyle and David T. S. Wood discuss the “you’re kidding me” moments that have defined their journeys and taught them valuable lessons throughout their lives.   Kyle’s story is full of passion, hard work, and lessons learned. He has discovered that by using his head, heart, and gut, he can navigate each phase of his life confidently and faces all challenges with a “just do it” attitude. If someone has done it before him or if there is a lesson to learn to teach others, he will face it head-on. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... Finding the courage to take a risk Pinpointing the “You’re kidding me” moments in your life, and how they’ve influenced you Learning how to develop trust and confidence in others Navigating your inner elevator to decide when to trust your head, heart, or gut Defining which opportunity works best for your circumstances Getting back to a heart of gratitude and making meaningful connections with people What is a “You’re kidding me” moment and how does it influence your actions?   Have you ever experienced a scary, embarrassing, frustrating, exciting, or challenging moment in your life that left you exclaiming, “You’re kidding me!” Kyle defines these moments as opportunities to learn more about yourself. They can have a lasting effect on your development and can make significant changes to your personality. The moment you decide to do that scary thing or shift your actions to adjust after an embarrassing moment, you start developing characteristics that can help you face anything confidently.   That moment of fear leading up to a new experience and the happiness you experience afterward can help build your confidence to take the next risk. Kyle and David encourage you to keep getting back up every time you fall because this proof of your resilience can help inspire others to follow in your footsteps. When to trust your gut in the decision-making process   Kyle uses an elevator to illustrate our internal decision-making process: In the head, you can be easily influenced, persuaded, or swayed based on facts. While this is a valuable tool, it can lead to decisions you may not agree with. Your heart syncs with your emotion. Your head and heart don’t always agree, so it can be misleading to use your heart as a guide. But your gut rarely makes a mistake. Stemming from your instincts, which develop over time, your gut is usually the best guide for difficult decisions.   When you’re embarking on a new journey in life or starting a new business venture, your brain may try to stop you from taking action by reminding you of all the financial or emotional consequences that may follow. In your heart, you may feel the pull to do it for the chance to succeed, but your head may be clashing with that desire. Ultimately, your gut is what leads you to decide when it’s time to take action. How to practice a heart of gratitude   In times of struggle, it can be easy to lose track of the importance of connecting with others and sharing your experiences. You never know the impact your story could have on inspiring others, so follow your gut and learn when it’s the right time to share your story. If someone influences you and helps you along the way, take the time to practice gratitude regularly and, when possible, share your appreciation face to face.   There’s no right or wrong way to approach a new opportunity. Find a way to make it work for you and trust your gut to know when to take action. Whatever decisions you have in front of you will provide an opportunity for you to learn (whether positive or negative) and can help guide you to the next right thing. Be open to all offers in front of you and trust your gut to know when to take action! Resources & People Mentioned   CMH Heli-Skiing Isagenix Jimmy Smith   Connect with Kyle Nekrash   Kyle Nekrash & Megan McEwen-Nekrash’s Website: Family Freedom Plan Follow Kyle on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kyle.nekrash   Connect with David Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/davidtswood/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/davidtswood Twitter - https://twitter.com/DavidTSWood1    

When it comes to personal growth, David T. S. Wood's guest, Lisa DeMayo, is an expert on the journey one must take to achieve success. To date, both she and David have spent countless hours taking classes, studying resources, and training with experts in their field. Why? Because they feel that the people, they mentor deserve a leader who has been in the trenches and can relate to whatever struggles come with the business.   David and Lisa both understand what it takes to become an expert in the network marketing industry. What steps are required to get you on your way to achieving the lifestyle you crave? In this powerful episode, Lisa dives deep into the path she has paved, and shares some life-changing tips you can put in place to reach whatever goals you may have. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...   Looking at your journey to appreciate the personal growth you've experienced so far Discovering the root of your limiting beliefs so you can start to move past them Finding the best coaches and mentors Tips to help you decide which network marketing company is the right fit A bonus assignment to help you find your path An expert look at what makes an effective coach   If you were to go to your favorite search engine right now and type in "network marketing coach" or "lifestyle coach," you will receive a mixed bag of experts and novices who all want to get your ball into their court. But if you only have a limited budget or if you're new to the industry, how do you choose the right fit?   Having studied coaching for years, lived through experiences that have honed their skills, and continued studying to this day, Lisa and David are both blown away by the volume of people calling themselves coaches and experts. To find the right mentors, they suggest the following tips:   1.       Choose a variety of mentors Your mentor should be relatable, but also have a lifestyle you admire. Additionally, they need to have the experience to back up any claims they make. They also suggest changing or updating your mentors as you progress through your business and in life, to help you maintain momentum.   2.       Write down your limiting beliefs Figure out why your insecurities are there and give yourself the space to figure out what brought them on. Try not to let other people's opinions affect you because they can make you second guess yourself.   3.       Reevaluate the people you spend time with Examine your pool of friends to see how they align with and support your goals. If needed, find new people to spend time with that leave you feeling full and supported. How to utilize life experiences to find your path   We live in a society driven by money. But earning enough money to have the freedom to live how you want can be challenging. Lisa's career started as a super-successful pharmaceutical rep. with a generous income, a company car, and an expense account. After leaving that role to spend more time with her family, she moved into her first network marketing role for a beauty company where she quickly rose through the ranks to become a top earner. But when she realized that many players on her team weren't treated fairly, she decided to step away from that organization to find her next path.   After leaving that company, Lisa faced divorce, losing her close friend and mentor, and having to face the job market as a single mother. Taking some time to figure out what she was looking for, she developed a list of criteria that her next network marketing opportunity needed to meet. She based the information on the lessons she’d learned from her life experiences up to that point:   What was on her list?   The company needed to be more than ten years old It needed to be international, reaching more than North America She no longer wanted to have to focus on a singular gender or age range Are the products offered able to be used daily? The compensation plan should be binary, and all team members should have equal opportunities for success Bonus: How to figure out where you are on your personal growth journey   During this conversation, Lisa shares an exercise that she often recommends to those who are trying to assess their personal growth. Write three letters to yourself to discover your reality:   The bad: Write a letter that allows you to notate all your insecurities, frustrations, and anger The honest: The second letter should be a clear, neutral look at where you are currently The abundant: Finally, write a letter full of your dreams and goals for the future   By having these three letters, you will be able to find the middle ground that can help you discover your next step towards success.   Resources & People Mentioned   The Learning Annex Tony Robbins Cashflow Game Oprah Winfrey Brené Brown Eckhart Tolle   Connect with Lisa DeMayo Lisa DeMayo on Instagram: @lisademayo Follow Lisa on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LisaDeMayoCoach Lisa’s book: The Art Of Getting What You Want   Connect with David Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/davidtswood/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/davidtswood Twitter - https://twitter.com/DavidTSWood1    

Losing weight is a goal for so many. But understanding what works to support healthy sustained weight loss can be confusing. Listen in as Research and Development Scientist Alex Mohr discusses scientifically backed strategies to support weight loss, your metabolism’s role in weight, and what you can do to feel your best and find long-term success.

The power of belief is an incredible tool to help you reach your goals, both personally and professionally. But do you know what areas you are strong in and which areas may need a little help? In this empowering video conversation, David T. S. Wood and his guest, Cathy Savage, share their insight into how different belief strategies can impact every area of your life.   Belief isn't something you can turn on and off. It's something that everyone has access to but not everyone utilizes. If you want to get plugged in and change your life and business for the better, this episode is a must-hear! You will gain powerful insight and learn some exercises you can practice finding your starting point on your journey to fully invested belief.   You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...   The six areas of belief and how they can help you grow Figuring out your limiting beliefs and how to change them A BONUS exercise, challenging you to rate yourself and jumpstart your growth The four most powerful words in the English language Getting back in touch with your inner belief Developing daily rituals to set you up for success   The six areas of belief   In network marketing, your belief plays a significant role in energizing new clients and getting them interested in trying the product or joining your team. However, if you don't believe in what you are saying, it will be hard to get THEM to believe. It doesn't matter how good of an actor you are if you aren't honest and sincere about what you are sharing, your clients will eventually figure you out.   What areas should you continuously check?   Belief in the products Belief in the company Belief in the compensation plan Belief in the industry Belief in YOURSELF Belief in YOURSELF becoming a network marketer   Rate yourself on a scale of 1–10 in each of these six areas. What areas could you use a little help in, and which areas are you doing well? Talk with your mentors, do your research, and work towards getting a perfect score for each area.   Identifying your limiting beliefs to jumpstart personal growth   The first step towards inner growth is identifying the areas where you're struggling. Cathy loves to have her new clients or team members create their story, usually a few sentences, of WHY they think they can't do something. She then has them repeat their statements until they (and she) get sick of hearing those reasons. Once they get to that point, she challenges them to change their story!   What might be holding YOU back?   Take a few minutes to rate yourself in the following areas from 1–10 and write a single sentence representing why you got that score for each area:   Health assessment Career Money Relationship   Now, how can you rewrite your story for a more positive outcome? Talk about your struggles with your team or mentor, investigate new resources, and become a believer in yourself. In doing so, you will be able to inspire others to do the same!   The four most important words in the English language are, "I believe in you." This phrase is something you should share with others, but you should be able to say it to yourself first!   Utilizing the power of belief in your daily rituals   Rituals are a powerful way to develop new routines that can help you reach your goals. Before your feet hit the ground in the morning, Cathy suggests saying an affirmation. Hers is, "Every day I'm going to get a little bit better." Your affirmation should change as you progress through your goals.   Some other impactful rituals that you can practice are:   Saying a prayer or meditating Applying essential oils Taking a break from your phone Exercising Researching and practicing optimal nutrition Contacting friends, family, and colleagues Philanthropy or service towards something you care about   Once you start putting some rituals in place, take time to practice them daily and invest wholeheartedly in your journey towards fully believing in yourself.   Resources & People Mentioned   Jen Patch Susan Sly   Connect with Cathy Savage   Cathy Savage’s Website: Welcome to Cathy Savage Follow Cathy on Facebook: Cathy Savage Fitness Follow Cathy on Twitter: @CathySavage Cathy Savage on Instagram: @CathySavageOfficial   Connect with David Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/davidtswood/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/davidtswood Twitter - https://twitter.com/DavidTSWood1      

Susan Sly is no stranger to hard work and has had to fight for everything in her life, overcoming challenges as they presented themselves. In this video conversation with David T. S. Wood, Susan shares how she dealt with a difficult health diagnosis, the dissolution of her marriage, difficult career decisions, and more. In this conversation she gets real about her bumps along the way and shares her insight on how to approach new opportunities.   Whatever you’re facing with your business, your career, your home life, or your health, Susan’s inspirational story can help you look at things from a new angle. There are countless opportunities out there for those willing to do the work to reach their goals, so don’t give up hope and keep moving forward! You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... How to choose to stop giving meaning to your pain Learning how to go from struggling to success How you can forge greatness from your times in the valley Who are you, beyond your job, title, or relationship? Where is the world headed, and which industries will lead? What a side-hustle is and how you can build a side hustle mindset How can you start to generate residual income? Learning how to rethink your current course and keep moving ahead in life If you had to choose only one word, what one word represents you?   In the most painful season of Susan’s life, everything came crashing down all at once. She received a concerning health diagnosis, the end of her marriage, losing her business, and ending up homeless as a single mother on her brother-in-law’s couch. This massive shift in her life made her face things with a new perspective. She took a long bike ride one day and did some serious soul searching to try to figure out where she should go next and, on that ride, one word came to her – teacher. With this new direction, she shifted her business vision and now pursues a lifestyle and career that foster this passion within her.   Susan says that the key to overcoming challenges is, “pick yourself up, get humble, let it go, figure out your strengths, figure out who you are, and just move forward.” It won’t be easy, but greatness is achieved by those who work hard to achieve their goals.   When you’re in a rough patch, that is the time to embrace the opportunity to go a new direction. Accelerate your efforts when the right opportunity arises and go that extra mile to find YOUR success. No one gets ahead with a pity party, so you have to keep moving forward to get ahead.   Overcoming challenges during any economic climate   If you’ve recently lost your job or business, how can you narrow down your options to figure out where to go next? Susan, being in the AI (Artificial Intelligence) industry, has a broad view of where the world is going, and mentions that jobs like social media influencers, driving services, delivery services, and most labor roles are being phased out. Each time a massive global shift happens, like the COVID pandemic, industries change to meet the new needs of the people. In order to take advantage of these openings, you have to try to be one step ahead.   Most of the changes that were supposed to take effect within a decade have accelerated to meet the needs of home-based people needing to make an income.   To find the right side-hustle, Susan recommends: Picking something you can do from home Making sure it can be done online Making sure it aligns with your values Not borrowing money to start it Not leaving your day job (if possible) until you have at least six months of income in the bank to pay yourself and make sure you have benefits How to choose the right side-hustle opportunity   At any given time, countless new companies are popping up to try and make quick grabs for investors and employees, but then they quickly turn around and sell. While this may be nice for the investors, if you’re trying to get started with a side-hustle, this can complicate things for you. Before you commit to a company, Susan recommends looking out for the following: Is the company making claims like a cure for something or a get-rich-quick pitch? Do the co-founders or upper management have experience in network marketing or the field they’re operating? Does the company offer free support and training resources (blogs, audio, video, etc.)? Do your values align with the product or service provided? Do people get cut-off anywhere in your compensation line?   Ask yourself this question, “If not this, then what?” There will always be another pandemic, economic shift, or technological advancement. Don’t wait for things to be urgent before you act. Everything you thought was going to work yesterday may not today… so keep moving forward!   Resources & People Mentioned   John Assaraf - book: The Answer: Grow Any Business, Achieve Financial Freedom and Live an Extraordinary Life Natalie Cole Wayne W. Dyer The Scarlet Letter, by Nathaniel Hawthorne Think and Grow Rich, by Napoleon Hill Unleash the Power Within, by Tony Robbins Warren Buffet   Connect with Susan Sly Susan Sly on Instagram: @susansly Follow Susan on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SusanSlyLive/ Susan’s book, The Have It All Woman   Connect with David Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/davidtswood/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/davidtswood Twitter - https://twitter.com/DavidTSWood1    

Conflict resolution skills can help you fight more effectively and help you avoid damaging your relationships. A good fight doesn't mean that every argument will end with you winning. It means that you take the steps necessary to be kind to each other, even when you don’t agree. There has been a notion for a long time that people in relationships who fight each other are bad or wrong. But in reality, those who argue have more open conversations and are closer than those who don’t. Each time you disagree with your partner, you can CHOOSE to fight fairly so both sides win.   In this powerful video conversation David T. S. Wood and his guest, relationship coach Beth Hanishewski, get real about their love of conflict and their journey to learning how to fight fair. They share some of the lessons they've learned along the way, strategies for an effective fight, and use real-world examples to put things into perspective. If you want to acquire these powerful skills for the benefit of your relationships, this episode is a must-hear!   You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...   The different stages of a relationship and how conflict changes over time Finding the right way to fight fairly so you both win Strategies you can put in place for a quick turnaround after your fight A BONUS exercise to help you figure out what you should and shouldn't do in a fight Working with your partner to develop a fight plan   What stage is your relationship in and how does it influence your fights?   Every relationship goes through stages. As you work through each one, you start to learn more about each other and find more things that could cause an argument.   Toddler stage: These are your brand-new relationships where everything is new, exciting, and beautiful. You don't see the flaws in your person, you don't disagree, and you want to spend all of your time together. School-Age stage: This relationship is a little older. You're starting to notice some cracks in the relationship, some of the flaws in your person are more evident, and you're sharing deeper personal truths. Teenager stage: You're both starting to fight for a little independence in the relationship. One or both of you don't want to spend all of your time together anymore, which can be scary. Adult stage: You know each other very well. You both are bringing wisdom to the relationship, learning each other's habits, working around personal rituals, and spending more energy pulling each other closer rather than pushing away.   Progressing through these different phases can be challenging but they are a great opportunity to learn more about your partner and discover new things about yourself.   Strategies to help you fight fairly   No matter how mad you are, try not to say anything you can't take back. Once damaging things have been said, it can have lasting effects not only on them personally, but also on your relationship. Bringing up something from the past, name-calling, threats, and an overabundance of ""You"r" statements can make that person shut down and pull further away from you.   Beth recommends approaching the conversation with "I" statements like:   "I feel…" "I've noticed…" "I want…" "I need…"   By keeping the focus on yourself, your partner will be more receptive to your information rather than immediately closing off. If you feel that you may have already damaged your relationship, it's not too late to repair it! Start by apologizing for any specific things you can think of and then use "I" statements to enter back into the conversation naturally. Acknowledge the issues you discover and commit to making things better.   Conflict resolution skills to turn a fight around quickly   Beth and David both agree that having a quick turnaround is an essential skill in conflict resolution. Understanding each other's conflict styles can help you notice cues that you may be nearing the end of the argument. If things are getting too heated and you're afraid damaging statements could be said, take a brief pause so you can both calm down. After the break, try to get to the resolution quickly rather than focusing back on the argument.   BONUS: Beth suggests an exercise to help you develop details for your fight plan or discover your conflict style. Take a few minutes to write down three things you could do in an argument with your partner to make things WORSE.   Now, write down three things you could do to make your argument BETTER! These three things can help you turn a fight around and start reaching a resolution more quickly.   When should you develop your fight plan?   Open up the conversation for developing your fight plan when things are good between you and your partner. Ideally, pick a time after a recent argument so everything is fresh. Create the parameters of your conflict and share some triggers that you both would like to avoid. Designate a white flag item like a touch or word that could diffuse the fight if it gets too heated.   When a fight plan is in place, your arguments will have less energy, they'll resolve quickly, and you will grow closer to each other. Set a goal with your partner to become GREAT fighters and see how your conflict resolution skills improve!   Connect with Beth Hanishewski   Beth Hanishewski’s Website: http://www.mindsetcoaching.com/ Beth on Instagram: @mindsetcoaching Follow Beth on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mindsetcoaching Follow Beth on Twitter: @BethHanishewski   Connect with David   Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/davidtswood/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/davidtswood Twitter - https://twitter.com/DavidTSWood1