You all know that my expertise in love comes from solving all my personal love life problems first. I take that knowledge and use it to help all of you.
Well let me tell you - it never ends! Dave and I are still improving our "couples productivity," that is, our ability to accomplish something together. This is 4th Art of Love in Love Kung Fu: The Art of Teamwork.
Our toughest game lately has been the Love Kung Fu Graphics department. Dave is a brilliant graphic designer when he has the right elements to work with. And I have a vision for each marketing piece, but lack expertise in design.
We keep trying to work together on Love Kung Fu's marketing pieces, but usually come out exhausted, frustrated and totally fried. We don't get along because we are both controlling, and we end up arguing over whose direction to take.
Despite our differences, the result is always a beautiful work of art. So I'm constantly in a quandary: should I work with someone else or should I try again to work with Dave? It's easier to work without Dave, but then we never grow. If I go elsewhere, then it costs more, takes more time, and we never learn to work together.
After two years of failed attempts in this area, we accomplished the impossible last night! We created some compelling and luscious marketing works for the new Smart Singles Dallas events. We created a postcard to hang up in coffee shops, and business cards to match the postcards to take away. They are so sharp, sexy, and exciting - second to the logo itself, this is the best marketing material we've ever done!!!
We had to implement so many new habits to get our working relationship up and running.
1) Requirements: I had to design and list requirements before we started. I had to submit them as drawings in person, not over email.
2) Unofficial deadlines: I had to explain when it was due and why, and then totally surrender to the fact that he might not finish it on time.
3) Alone time: I couldn't talk to Dave while he was working on the graphics.
4) Mark-ups: After he was done, he brought me a finished copy to red-line.
5) Sandwich principle: I learned this from Toastmasters. I started sandwiching constructive criticism between two compliments in all my feedback.
6) Minimum Necessities: I started showing what parts of the requirements were most important to me. And then showing him that the rest was secondary.
7) Patience: Dave practiced being patient when I shared my ideas.
8) Generosity: Dave started listening to what I said. He started giving in more than other times.
It took two years of experimentation and practice, but we did it! Woohoo!! The important point is that you should keep trying new ways to work together. Take breaks and try again. If you have questions about couples working together, post your questions here or email me directly at advice@lovekungfu.com. Cheers! -Mark
Labels: relationship tips
