Rough drafts

I’m a big believer in rough drafts.  Even sitting here writing this, I know that what I want to say will come together if I get all my thoughts out, step back from it for a day or two and then return to make some deep edits and make sure my thoughts are organized and clear enough to make sense for you as you read it.

Unfortunately, verbal communication, especially in our relationships, doesn’t always allow us to be as intentional.  Even though we know it helps, we rarely take the time to think about it, say it out loud to ourselves first and then wait a few days before we say it to each other.   Typically it all spills out in the most rough draft sort of ways.

And we all know where that lands us.

But just because we tend to communicate more in rough drafts than we may like to, is there a way for your relationship to allow some room for it?

Is it possible, when you say it sort of clumsy and a little messy, that you can pause long enough to catch your breath and try it again? Can you and your partner have some sort of agreement, that it’s better to get it out in the first place then hold it in until it’s perfect (which is never going to happen) or when you boil over (and it ends up being even worse)?  

Trust me when I say that being able to work through a rough draft…together…is better for your relationship. Too often, couples wait for the perfect timing, perfect wording or even perfect mood, in order to bring stuff up.  Unfortunately, the ‘perfect’ never arrives and you end up not talking about the things that really need to be discussed.

Stop waiting for the ‘perfect’ and get your rough draft out.

I’m cheering for the two of you!

-A

P.S. Communication got you all tangled up and struggling to get your rough draft out? Take advantage of $50 off the Communication Masterclass by using code FALLINTOEACHOTHER and work to reset your communication…together.  Offer expires 11.30.25.