However, it is critical to be aware that emotions can cloud your communication, confusing what the issue is. Try to keep your emotions separate from the objective, specific communication about the issue. While these rules may sound simple and straightforward, applying them in your life may be more difficult. It takes considerable thought to specify clearly what is important to you, what is bothering you, how you are feeling, and what you would like to see changed. It will take practice and effort for both of you to incorporate these rules into your lives, so think carefully about what you want to say before you say it.
Some people find it helpful to schedule times to air conflicts and disagreements.
This enables both people to think about what they are going to say, and it avoids getting into an argument when there is no time to resolve the conflict.