Deal breakers ...

I think a powerful way to strengthen relationships is knowing our deal breakers cold. Keep them simple and few. When things get rocky with someone, there's one question: 'Is this a deal breaker?' If it is, well, then that's that. If it's not, let it go and move on.

Most of the stuff we get worked up about isn't actually deal breaker territory. We just haven't gotten clear on what really matters to us. Once we know what we absolutely won't tolerate, everything else becomes noise we can tune out.

It's liberating. No more walking on eggshells or getting twisted up over every little thing. Just clarity about where we stand.