Dec. 11, 2025

73: Cut Holiday Relationship Stress Fast with 3 GGG Principles

Show Notes

The holiday season can transform what should be magical moments into stressful, pressure-filled events—especially for high-performing men balancing relationships, business demands, and personal fulfillment. In this insightful solo episode, host Ellen Dorian shares the practical "GGG Principles"—Gratitude, Generosity, and Grace—as anchors to help couples thrive and deepen connection through the holidays (and beyond).

Part 1: The Reality of Holiday Expectations

Ellen explores how holidays often shift from childlike excitement to a time burdened with overwhelming expectations, emotional baggage, and pressure to deliver for loved ones—particularly if the relationship is already strained.

Part 2: The GGG Principles for Relationship Success:

Gratitude: Move beyond obligatory platitudes. Ellen suggests a personal practice focused on recognizing what you genuinely value about your partner. She provides thoughtful questions to guide listeners through recognizing meaningful attributes and experiences, and encourages using this awareness to foster connection and reduce reactivity.

Generosity: True generosity isn’t about sacrifice or guilt, but about giving from surplus—whether that's time, money, energy, skills, or flexibility. Practical examples are shared on how to proactively support your partner and lighten their holiday load, without resentment.

Grace: The antidote to perfectionism. Ellen shares how practicing patience, compassion, and forgiveness—even when mistakes happen—can transform your relationship dynamic and foster lasting trust.

Part 3: Applying GGG Principles

Listeners are encouraged to develop gratitude statements, create weekly generosity plans, and let go of rigid expectations. These steps provide real relief and renewed intimacy, keeping stress in check and making space for true human connection.

Action Steps for Listeners:

Try the grounding gratitude exercise and observe how it shifts your perspective.
Make a generosity plan: Choose two stress points and match them to the partner with the right surplus.
Practice grace by forgiving imperfections and celebrating best intentions.

Key Takeaways:

The real win with gratitude comes from genuinely feeling it, not just saying it—let actions follow heartfelt awareness.
Generosity works best when you give what you have in abundance, not from scarcity, to avoid burnout and build goodwill.
Grace lets go of perfection and nurtures authentic connection; no one gets it right all the time, and accepting this opens the door to real intimacy.

Call to Action:

Ellen encourages listeners to take the Relationship Dynamics Scorecard: A free, quick quiz to pinpoint relationship strengths and stressors (find it at MakeMoreLove.show/quiz).

Whenever you are ready, you can reach out for deeper support: Free Relationship Reset calls, workshops, private coaching, and an Insider Facebook community for ongoing connection and resources. Links are below.

Closing Thoughts:

You don’t need to create a perfect holiday—just show up with presence, forethought, and a little grace. Small shifts in mindset and action can profoundly change your holiday experience and your relationship.

Stay Tuned:

Next week, Ellen Dorian will be back with a bonus episode addressing holiday stress when Christmas isn’t your thing. Until then, take care of each other!

Support & Resources:

Ellen invites listeners to share their thoughts, either in the P3 Insider's Community or directly with her via email. Or, for one on one brainstorming on a specific situation, listeners can set up a time on Ellen's Calendar for a free Relationship Reset Call.

All links can be found below.

"Until next time, remember, 'What I want most in the world is for you to Make More Love with Your Wife and In Your Life.'" - Ellen Dorian

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About the Host:

Ellen Dorian is a relationship and business coach dedicated to helping high-performing business leaders truly create the business, relationship, and life that most entrepreneurs only dream of.

Disclaimer:

The Make More Love show is for information and entertainment purposes only, and reflects the personal opinions and experiences of the host and guests. It is not a substitute for professional advice or guidance in specific situations.