So it occurs to me as I wait to fly to Dallas for the next stop on the roadshow circuit (3 more to go after this) that I should answer the most common question I get about my traveling lifestyle. How do you have any kind of relationship? I actually think I have figured out this system after many years of mistakes. This system is also valid in many ways for people that work long hours. (aren't to many of those in this industry (-:) The magic sauce I am going to unveil here is both simple and powerful and yet few people actually practice it. Since I am male this is by necessity focused on keeping your better female half happy. Any woman reading this though please respond to the validity of my methods, in the name of science and happy relationships everywhere.

Rule #1: get a life. Your girlfriend/wife (Significant Other or S.O from now on) needs a life. Not just any life. Her own life. Ask yourself the question..."what does my S.O. do when I am away for 2 weeks?" If you answer "watch TV at home until my return" you have a problem. 2 weeks of watching "CSI" and "What not to Wear" is bound to give your S.O. time to think a lot of unhappy thoughts about you and all the fun you must be having somewhere else. On the other hand if she has friends to hang out with that are not necessarily your close friends as well or hobbies to get into the time flys by. Oh and this all goes for you too. Its always good to have your own separate lives.

Rule #2: This is the most controversial rule. To many people It seems cruel or unloving somehow. Here it goes....Don't call each other all the time. Yes I can hear the audible gasps as you all say "but you have to call every day its just the way things are done!" Here is my take on this. On your average day what possibly happened that requires a call to inform the S.O.? Probably nothing. If something exploded or has rotted off then by all means make the call but otherwise save the information up. When I go away for a week the only call I make is when I arrive at my destination to let my S.O. know I arrived safely. Now I know a lot of you may have to work at just getting down too one call a day so go slowly. I don't want anyone hurt by going cold turkey. Why oh why must you do this you ask? The simple reason is that when you get home you have increased the anticipation of the event and hopefully you both have a bunch of interesting things to say about your time apart. I recommend making a date for the day you return with a nice quiet dinner out to catch up. Trust me its much more satisfying then showing up at home with nothing to talk about. Its not for everyone but try it, you might like it.

Rule #3: Go out or do something special with your S.O. immediately upon returning from any trip over 5 days. I know the last thing you want to do is go out after a week of restaurant food and hotels but remember your Significant Other has likely been at home eating meals for one this week and would like a break. Trust me, take one for the team and take her out. Have that catch up chat from rule #2.

The most important and simple rule and the key to everything is still to come. This rule can actually help even if you follow none of the other rules and it works in all kinds of situations. However I'm going to make you wait for it a couple days. Why? See rule #2. Anticipation is everything.

Shawn - The self proclaimed relationship Guru.