8 Answers

(Let's pretend I'm the man in this story and you're the woman.)
You and I meet. We both like each other. (Lucky me!)
Our feelings develop for each other on several levels (physically, emotionally, socially.)
You try to be "patient" and not express too many feelings and play it cool.
We have a great "connection" and have a great time when we're together... but we never really talk about what we want in our future around dating, a relationship, or marriage.
Time goes by and things are great for us when we're together.
But eventually, you begin to see that you're not getting what you want from me in the relationship once you start to see that things aren't moving past this "casual" but fun situation.
Which brings up a dilemma in your mind.

You want more, but you're scared of talking to me about it because you don't know where I'm at.
You want us to get closer, but you don't want to "rock the boat" and do something that will make things worse, when all you want is for things to be even more magical for us both together.
Plus, you're a little scared about how things are going to go in the future because I've talked to you about all the bad experiences I've had with women in the past, and part of you knows that I might not be "open" or seem "ready" for the kind of true love and a lasting relationship that we could have.
And sometimes I even make negative remarks about dating and relationships that make you think that there's a part of me that doesn't "get" what we have together or fully appreciate it the way you do.
Of course, you don't want to ruin the good things we have going, but in the back of your mind you know that you want to talk about where things are headed so you can have some certainty and not feel like you're just waiting around for me to "get with the program" and figure it out.
But the more you think about this, and us, the more you start to feel fear and the negative emotions that come into your mind.
You think to yourself,
"What if he's not that serious about me, and I'm totally in love with him?"
"What if this is all he wants, and I'm left hanging after putting so much into this?"
"What if everything that I've been feeling and starting to count on isn't real!?"
Your head is full of these thoughts... but you still don't communicate with me about them.
WHAT'S HAPPENING FOR THE GUY THROUGHOUT ALL OF THIS
As I start to see us growing closer, a few things start to happen for me at the same time:
- I notice that you're acting different and seem more emotional, more worried, and almost "needy" when we're together
- I notice that we don't have as much fun anymore and that things are starting to feel "heavy," and like it's "work" when we're together
- You don't seem to be so "into me" anymore, and you aren't just happy to see me and share your love and affection when we first see each other
- I start to notice that you question me a lot more, and react to little things that I do, no matter how small or insignificant I think they are
And finally...
- I start to pull away as I feel these things and don't know what they are (which only makes you feel worse, worry more, reinforces the negative distance we're both starting to feel between us)
But still, you're trying to play it cool and let things work out without freaking out.
So you don't say anything to me directly to communicate what's going on for you and your feelings.
And of course, being a normal guy, I don't say anything either. (Of course, I'm a man!)
But you become more and more frustrated and confused that I'm not acting how I used to act.
Things begin to change with the way I treat you.
I don't pay as much attention to you anymore.
I don't surprise you or bring you flowers anymore.
I'm tired every day after work and just want to watch TV when I get home.
I call you less frequently.
I don't initiate sex as much anymore.
You even consider that I could be seeing someone else because of how differently I'm acting with you now.
And after a few months, I've become totally distant from you.
So what happens next?
HOW YOU TALK ABOUT YOUR RELATIONSHIP IS EVERYTHING
You decide you're not happy with where things are and it's time to have a talk.
But you're SCARED of expressing your feelings about what you want because it will scare me away, so you let things build up inside you until you begin to let your frustrations with me show.
And to wrap the story up...
You start a conversation about the relationship and then you "let me have it"! (You get upset and lose your cool with me.)
All the desires, fears, frustrations and dreams that you've been holding inside away from me all pour out in one big emotional explosion...
But this creates all kinds of tension that actually works against your relationship.

There’s a much better way...

Now, I’m going to tell you how to talk to him about your relationship in three easy steps:

Step 1) You Need To Understand What's Going On Inside The Mind Of Your Man...

Let me tell it to you straight, as a man...

Women secretly believe that their connection with a man will "naturally" turn into something deeper without any communication taking place.

But this isn't how it works with most men in the real world.

If you're "assuming" you have a relationship, and that he feels like you do, odds are that you're wrong.

Men don't assume that a connection, being together, spending quality time and all the rest means they're in a committed RELATIONSHIP.

Some men do, but not most.

For a man to know he's in a committed relationship, and understand the things YOU want in that relationship, YOU have to communicate with him in CLEAR AND DIRECT terms.

Yeah, that's right - you have to put yourself out there and be vulnerable.

I know, "common wisdom" tells you that doing this is the surest way to scare a man off.

But what about women who seem to "effortlessly" get a man to fall in love with them and commit, without any struggles or tension? Is it just luck?

While in some rare cases this is true...it's generally NOT luck.

It's that these women either naturally know how to interact and communicate with men in relationships in a way that WORKS...

OR they've taken the time to find and learn the right information, and integrate a new, more productive and positive way of communicating into their thinking and behavior.

Doing this is not easy. In fact, it's a "skill" most people have to learn to finally create and grow a real, lasting, loving relationship.

But the good news is that there's a very easy way to learn and get help.

Keep reading...

Step 2) Shifting Your Perspective And Understanding His Point of View

EVERYONE wants to have THEIR needs met first.

It's basic human nature.

But being able to delay your gratification is an AMAZING thing to develop in your life (in every part of your life, not just dating).

Most people (men and women) want to talk, talk, talk about what THEY think and what THEY want.

The root of this problem basically boils down to having your own needs that are unmet.

So, a key to having successful communication with a man is to honestly and critically consider the man's perspective, his emotional state, his communication skills and where he's coming from at the same time.

Here's the thing...

When you do this with a man, you are letting him know that you are as concerned about his needs and wants as you are about your own.

I see this in business, too: like when someone calls me who wants to get something from me or sell me something and they're not very experienced or polished at it.

The first thing I pick up on is their selfish agenda, and it instantly puts me on the defensive.

But if they've done their "homework" on me and what I'm looking for, instead of coming from a place of need about what THEY WANT from me... then the whole situation changes the second they show me they've thought about what I want.

It's very simple, but extremely powerful.

So let's take this concept directly back to communicating with men.

It might sound cliche, but you've got to learn to listen and understand where he's at and where he's coming from.

Patience, empathy and understanding are the first steps towards creating the relationship you dream about with another person who has his own dreams, desires, and frustrations.

Or course, you've also got to be careful to not become the woman who gives a man EVERYTHING and gets walked on, either.

We'll get to how to make sure you are "heard" and have your needs met in a minute...

Step 3) Use Your Natural Communication Skills Positively

Let me give you a vital piece of information when dealing with men...

Men are CLUELESS when it comes to identifying the things that are "obvious" to women in dating and relationships.

I would know. It's taken me ten years to begin to understand these things for myself - and I spend a LOT of time thinking about it.

So we know men are AWFUL at initiating and participating in conversations about deep emotions and relationships.

Sorry to break the bad news, but it's almost always up to you to make this communication happen - or at least to get it started and make it a part of your ongoing relationship.

Luckily, if motivated, men can be great learners who pick things up quickly and like to succeed at new things.

So learn to take advantage of their strengths, instead of condemning them for their weaknesses.

It's important to remember to approach the entire conversation from the perspective of talking about what you want AND what he wants.

If you can make a guy feel like you put his feelings and needs a priority in this conversation, and always consider what he wants, I promise he will LOVE YOU for it! And he'll return the favor.

When you talk to a man from a positive place of listening first, he will be 10,000 times more receptive to what you have to say than if you approach him from a place of feeling hurt or anxious.

Try this instead...

Ask a positive question or give a positive statement such as, "Honey, I was thinking today that I was happy to be with you."

It might sound submissive, corny, or difficult to say to someone you're having a tough time with, but think about it...