--- description: Just try. Put a small amount of conscious effort into trying to be a better friend, spouse, whatever. That’s it. Sounds ridiculous but research shows:... title: The #1 Way to Easily Improve All Your Relationships image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt7a48dbfc95da112a/69876b1655a859f862a84583/paper-dolls.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  * [Ideas](/section/ideas/) ## Ideas Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close * [Psychology](/tag/psychology/) ## Psychology Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close # The #1 Way to Easily Improve All Your Relationships by [Eric Barker](/author/eric-barker/) ## Eric Barker Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Nov 26, 2014 5:01 AM CUT  Paper dolls Paper dollsGetty Images by [Eric Barker](/author/eric-barker/) ## Eric Barker Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Nov 26, 2014 5:01 AM CUT Just try. Put a small amount of conscious effort into trying to be a better friend, spouse, whatever. That’s it. Sounds ridiculous but research shows: * Improving any relationship is as easy as [actively showing interest in the other person](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/how-to-easily-be-more-likable-and-make-people "undefined") or [sharing with them.](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/how-to-improve-your-relationship-in-5-seconds "undefined") * Pretending time with a romantic partner was a first date makes it [more enjoyable for you](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/another-way-to-easily-improve-your-relationsh "undefined") and [for your partner](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/whats-a-quick-way-to-improve-our-relationship "undefined"). Why? On first dates we make an effort to impress. * Racists actually make a better first impression on minorities than non-racists do. Why? Because they have to try to not act racist and [the effort makes them come off better than someone who doesn’t have to try](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/do-racists-make-a-better-first-impressions-th "undefined"). * Worried that all this is fake and contrived? Relax. Putting your best face forward [actually reveals your true self](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/does-putting-your-best-self-forward-reveal-yo "undefined"). **_This piece originally appeared on_** [**_Barking Up the Wrong Tree_**](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2012/05/whats-an-absurdly-easy-way-to-improve-all-you/ "undefined")**_._** **Join over 135,000 readers. Get a free weekly update via email** [**here**](http://eepurl.com/o6uAD "undefined")**.** Related posts: [How To Make Your Life Better By Sending Five Simple Emails](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2013/07/make-your-life-better/ "undefined") [How To Stop Being Lazy And Get More Done – 5 Expert Tips](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2014/08/how-to-stop-being-lazy/ "undefined") [New Harvard Research Reveals A Fun Way To Be More Successful](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2014/09/be-more-successful/ "undefined") ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"OpinionNewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/3606228/improve-relationships/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/3606228/improve-relationships/"},"headline":"The #1 Way to Easily Improve All Your Relationships","datePublished":"2014-11-26T05:01:28.000Z","dateModified":"2026-03-31T08:03:03.095Z","description":"Just try. Put a small amount of conscious effort into trying to be a better friend, spouse, whatever. That’s it. 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