The goal of successful dating is to find your relationship. But a question we're often asked is: once you've found your special someone, what next? Are the qualities that led you to success in dating the same ones you need to build a lasting relationship? In other words, do you need to be a different person in a relationship than when you're single? The answer is yes & no. But mostly Yes. Here's how:

1. Tell the truth:  at the foundation of every successful relationship is mutual respect & honesty. The first & most essential element of this is telling the truth, particularly when it's not easy to do so.
2. Be patient:  in today's fast paced world, it's easy to get caught up in thinking that everything needs to happen right now. Or that every problem needs to be solved today.  The reality is that things built to last don't always lend themselves to simple or quick fixes. If its important, its important enough to make time for it.
3. Assume the best:  giving the people you love the benefit of the doubt can be a powerful way to build positive relationships. We all make mistakes, but assuming someone's intentions are negative can easily turn a simple situation into a relationship crisis.
4. Have integrity:  keeping your word, and doing what you say you're going to do, builds trust - the foundation of a successful relationship.
5. Be forgiving:  contrary to popular opinion, successful relationships aren't perfect. Often they encounter just as many obstacles as unsuccessful ones, sometimes more. What separates successful relationships from unsuccessful ones, is their ability to resolve their differences through open communication. Part of an open & healthy communication is the ability to forgive someone when they've done something wrong.