© Elliot Essman 2005. All rights reserved.

These pages contain the complete 2005 revised text of Building Yourself, public speaking trainer Elliot Essman's guide to living the successful life.

Elliot Essman Public Speaking Training
Building Yourself Table of Contents
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• It is not strange that even our loves should change with our fortunes. William Shakespeare (1564–1616)

We won't be covering what makes a marriage work in this book. That's a book in itself. But if you learn one thing, it should be not to abuse the intimacy of marriage. That means you listen to the other person instead of assuming you don't have to. Married people need to be polite and considerate to each other. Yes, the other person knows you love him/her, but you've got to say it and show it just the same. No, you don't have a license to be a total slob in front of the other person just because you've gotten used to each other. Yes, you've got to be particularly careful how you treat and speak to the other person, both in public and in private.

Your imagination can fill in a great deal of the rest. And that's just what you need if you live with another per­son—imagination. Imagine their reactions. Anticipate their needs. Set up situations where they'll feel loved and cared for. Use all your creativity to keep the relationship moving forward. You can't hire someone else to do it for you.