Just Be Honest – How to Create a Healthy Relationship From the Start – Part 4
This is the fourth article in a series of articles designed to provide a framework for the initial stages on a relationship. The primary focus of that framework is communication regarding some of the assumptions that we make about common areas. The previous articles have covered general expectations, financial expectations, and family expectations. This articles will focus on career expectations that people that people often have but fail to articulate at the start of a new relationship.
Why. The job someone has or career path that they are on when they begin a new relationship is often not the one that they envision themselves having or being on several years down the road. Different careers carry geographical obligations and salary increases and decreases.
How. Much like family concerns, it is easy to bring the topic up to someone with a seemingly innocent question. “Where do you see yourself in five years job wise” will often spark a deeper conversation in which someone is able to vocalize their dreams and aspirations. Below are several important areas to focus on.
-Current Job. How satisfied is the person with their current job. This is important because a high level of unhappiness in the career field can easily bleed over into their personal life, especially if they feel obligated to maintain that job due to financial concerns.
-Where. What are some of the potential locations that a job or career can take someone. A member of the armed forces can be assumed to move around a great deal, but many professions require movement that might not be expected.
-Do you want to quit. Women occasionally wish to quit there job and focus on their family once they enter into a marriage. However, if this is not discussed it will come as a surprise for some men, forcing them to feel pressured to maintain the main income for the family.
The topics broached in this series are not intended to be seen as a comprehensive list, but as a starting point. If you want to have a succesful relationship it is important to avoid assumptions and increase discussions.
