Top 5 Ways To Change Your Wife’s Idea
“60% of the time, it works every time…” —Paul Rudd, Anchorman
So I’m not sure this is a good idea but here is my best guess after nearly 26 years married of how to convince your better half to do something different than they think they want to do. 60% of the time this plan works, every time…just like Paul Rudd’s character in Anchorman would say.
I’m fairly sure that this approach will work with any relationship, friends, work colleagues, clients, even the plumber:
5. Agree with their initial suggestion but with a certain measure of doubt sprinkled in, like 78% of you agrees, something like, “sounds good',” then just let that simmer
4. After a bit of time passes, usually at least a couple days with your partner (but maybe quicker if it’s the plumber or a work colleague), start to build consensus elsewhere - like with your kids. Don’t crap on the idea, just poke holes in it, and bring up your concept - “just a thought…we can think about it…but let’s not tell mom yet since her idea is good too”. This raises some doubt but doesn’t come off as just a complainer. Do this in work too - it’s easy to crap all over someone’s idea, but what are you bringing to the table?
3. Do something nice - like buy your better half a card or, the old standby, do the dishes.
2. Wait 2-3 days, repeat #4 but do not repeat #3. They’ll read through that.
1. Ideally, your bride or beau will convince themselves on their own that they don’t want to do the thing they first thought they wanted to do, but IF time is of the essence, like 48 hours to crunch time, you can either outsource the alternative by contracting with one of your kids to bring up the new idea, which let’s face it, will work like 9% of the time since your kids probably sell you down the river. So maybe better to just own it - “you know I was thinking about the other day…” Give no context. Do not offer it as the better choice, just raise the concept, let it sit their uninterrupted like that moment when the waitress asks if ya’ll want dessert and you look around hoping your not the only one still hungry after the Sheppard’s Pie. Because more often than not, your wife or client or even your plumber will say, “you know what we really ought to do….”
Follow this and with any luck they’ll think the idea is theirs. Which is exactly what you want. Trust me, just like Paul Rudd says in Anchorman, “they’ve done research studies and 60% of the time it works, every time….” which may not make any sense, and yet doesn’t it make perfect sense.
Good luck.