As part of our research we are always interviewing couples and those that are in good/bad relationships to see what works and what does not work in a relationship.  There is no better way to find out the secret to a great relationship than to ask those that have a great relationship.

In over five years of research at MYNIPPON we found that all those couples who say they have a great relationship, they also have several common traits.  While the cases of these couples are compiled in a storybook format (as detailed below), but here are the top ten secrets of a great relationship among happy couples:  

• Never take your partner for granted.  (Related article:  How to find the perfect partner?)

• Love is a two-way relationship.  Give more than you receive.  (Related article:  Giving love to your husband)

• You are never too old to love more.  (Related: Secret of marriage of Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne)

• Respect your partner even s/he is not perfect.  No one is.

• Don't expect your partner to change.  People only change on their own; not when they are forced to by someone else.

• Listen.  Always listen more than you talk.  And listen with genuine interest.  Ask questions if you don't get it.  And then digest what you heard and put it in the right context.  Learn something from what you listen and use it to improve your relationship.  (Related article:  Communication for couples)

• Give your heart and soul to the relationship.  If you are not satisfied with your current relationship, don't go looking for another one.  Work on your relationship.  The chances that the next person will be significantly better than this one are remote.  We all have deficiencies.  (Related:  How to improve face to face communication)

• Get a life beyond your relationship.  Have friends, do volunteer work, enrich your personal life and pursue a dream.  Do not make your relationship so important in your life that there is nothing else to keep you going.

• Give everything that your partner needs even if it is not what you like.  After all by entering into a relationship you agreed to it.  If you don't give it, someone else will;  that is how adultery, frustration, divorce, misery, etc. happen.

• Keep asking for feedback and suggestions from your partner on how you can make your relationship better.  It should never end.

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