6: How to Build Transformational Relationships

read time 3 minutes

Welcome to the With Intention weekly newsletter where I share ideas & learnings to help you live & lead with intention.

At a glance:

• Breaking through in your relationships
• A quote to inspire you by Julia Woods
• The Magic Ratio (A simple visual)

Breaking Through in Your Relationships

The true path to joy isn't paved with material success, but with the richness of meaningful relationships.

My wife, Michelle, and I recently returned from our second transformative year at Breakthrough, an extraordinary couple's retreat led by Julia Woods, one of the world's most renowned relationship coaches. This powerful weekend opened our eyes to the incredible potential within our relationship, revealing how we can each contribute to elevating our bond to new, exhilarating heights.

Let me share with you the five life-changing insights we discovered:

1. Embrace the Power of Awareness:

Recognize that we all have confirmation biases. Our brains, though remarkable, are selective in what they process. Research shows that we take in 2-4M bits of information each second, yet only actually process 192k (less than 10%!). By acknowledging this, we open ourselves to a world of new perspectives and understanding.

2. Cultivate the Art of Generous Listening:

There's profound wisdom in the saying that we have two ears and one mouth. Challenge yourself to truly hear your partner, absorbing their words with an open heart and mind.

3. Craft a Shared Vision:

This might be the most crucial step in your journey together. Dare to dream big and write down your shared aspirations as if they've already come to fruition. Watch as this clarity propels your relationship forward.

4. Embrace Resilience and Growth:

Life is beautifully unpredictable. When faced with challenges or missteps, summon the courage to ask for forgiveness and try again. Your ability to adapt and persevere will strengthen your bond.

5. Elevate Your Conversations:

As you implement these learnings, you'll witness a remarkable transformation in your interactions. Michelle and I are amazed at how our conversations have deepened and flourished as we embody these principles.

Remember, this journey is about progress, not perfection.

Even after this enlightening experience, I found myself stumbling on Sunday, momentarily forgetting to be a generous listener during a discussion about our son.

The key is to recognize these moments as opportunities for growth and to keep moving forward with love and determination. Your relationship has infinite potential. Embrace these insights and watch as your connection blossoms into something truly extraordinary.

The joy and fulfillment you'll discover along the way will far surpass any material success.

P.S. If this sounds intriguing to you, definitely check out Julia's work here. She's a great follow on Instagram as well - @heyjuliawoods. And, if you're interested in attending or have any questions, don't hesitate to reach out. I'd be happy to share our experience : )

Michelle and I at Big Spring Farm in Virginia two weeks ago at the Breakthrough Retreat! So grateful for this work!!

A quote to inspire you

A Simple Visual 

Such a powerful concept by the Gottman Institute. They've studied 1000's of couples and this was the key to a thriving relationship.

Until next week...thanks for reading!

Jon Giganti Author. Speaker. Leader.

Attention requires a focused head.
Intention requires a focused heart.

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