Research has identified seven specific areas of relationship skills and knowledge that contribute to successful marriage

• Compatibility
• Expectations
• Personalities and families-of-origin
• Communication
• Conflict resolution
• Long-term goals

These are points that decide the "right" and "wrong" turns in a marriage. The decisions you take at these turns will either build you stronger or break a pillar in your relationship.

Wondering how to overcome them? Here are the questions you need to ask yourself or check yourself.

• What are your relationship strengths?
• What is your relationship style?
• Understand your partner's background and style
• Understand your relationship compatibility profile
• Explore your expectations
• Set key relationship boundaries
• Accommodate your personality styles
• Appreciate gender issues that affect your compatibility
• Understand family-of-origin issues that impact on your relationship
• Select the set of strategies and skills that work for you and your style
• Identify areas that need change
• Identify and develop attitudes and approaches that enhance intimacy and promote growth
• Plan long-term strategies to build on strengths and address areas of challenge
• Plan long-term strategies to address the issues associated with the normal stages of marriage