Put on that thinking cap, and try your hand at Betcha Can't Get This each weekday morning at 7:20!

TODAYS QUESTION

click here for the answer to this, and to previous questions   

 LOCAL BIRTHDAYS

Send those birthday announcements to birthday@softrock1047.com!

NEW RULES OF LOVE

When it comes to finding love, your mother probably told you not to be too picky, and not to try to change your partner’s annoying habits. Well, new studies show that those rules don’t really work! Here are the new rules of love, courtesy of Oprah’s “O” magazine:

• Old rule of love #1: You can’t afford to be picky. The new rule: Be VERY picky. A study at Northwestern University found that speed daters who picked the most candidates for a second meeting were the least likely to be picked themselves for round 2. Why? Because singles who show interest in everyone don’t come off as eager – they come off as desperate. So, if you’re at a party, play hard-to-get for all but one person.  It’ll increase the likelihood that the person you picked will like you, too.
• Old relationship rule #2: Be supportive during life’s disappointments. The new rule: Be supportive when your partner has GOOD news. A study at UC Santa Barbara found that couples who are enthusiastic about good news are more satisfied with their relationship, and are less likely to break up than those who got support only during rough times. Why? Because you get a bigger mood boost from praise, like “I’m so proud of you” - than you ever get from a sympathetic comment, like “I’m so sorry.”
• Another old rule of love: Regular date nights boost your relationship. The new rule: Scheduling date night means work – and you’re both ALREADY overworked. Instead, make a list of things you can enjoy together in 60 seconds. Like telling a joke, sending a text message, or sharing one long kiss. Studies show that just three quick connections a day greatly increase relationship satisfaction.  
• The final old relationship rule: You cannot change your spouse! The new rule: You CAN change them one small step at a time! A study of couples married at least 20 years found that happily married couples didn’t insist that their partner make big behavioral changes, like “Will you please start picking up after yourself?” Instead, they asked for small modifications, like “Can you put your clothes in the hamper?” After two decades of asking each other for small alterations, many spouses had gently nudged their partners into making significant changes without them even noticing.

Click here to view the Working Woman of the Week!