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Listen, focus on what your partner is saying
- Don't interrupt
- Don't offer advice, sometimes your partner just needs to be heard
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Offer support, show engagement in what your partner is saying
- Empathize and sympathize
- Say supportive things and use supportive languages
- Follow up on the conversation later if you are not mentally ready to deal with your partner's problems
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Play career coach, asking good questions to help your partner identify blind spots
- Inquiry
- "What makes you think that's the case?"
- Offer advice - but be gentle about it
- "I have a suggestion on a path forward. Can I share it?"
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Reflect, notice your partner's attitude, mood, and patterns
- chronic stress is a signal that your significant other may "be in the wrong place"
- "How are things going?" Are u where you want to be? Are you satisfied?
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Encourage outside friendships and interests
- give them the freedom and space to pursue things they enjoy - such as hobby or a sport
- see a therapist or work with a career coach