A client asked me the other day, "What is the best way to break up with someone?" A good question. One that we all face at some point. There are bad ways to break up. Like just not calling again or not returning his calls. And the one that guys really hate, telling him at the end of an expensive evening that you are just not interested. Ouch!

Some people think breaking up via email is a good idea. Others think emailing is awful! What do you think?

No matter how you break up, none of us wants to intentionally be the cause of hurting another. We try and find a way to say it so that it won't hurt. That may or may not be possible. No one likes to be rejected. Yet when it is just not working, delaying the inevitable only makes it worse. How would you like for someone to give you the news that it is not working for them? Do you want them to say something nice and wish you well and then tell you that they will be moving on? Or do you want to hear the news in an email? Over the phone? Or how? The best policy for breaking up goes back to the Golden Rule we all learned as children. Here are some guidelines to follow:

- Think about how you would feel if the other person were breaking up with you.
- Come from a place of compassion and caring. Just because you have decided not to pursue a relationship with this person does not mean that you have to make them wrong or bad in some way. It just isnt working for you.
- Say what needs to be said to communicate clearly.
- Do not blame, be firm and get it over with quick.