While working together, how can I discuss my ideas and objections without killing the other person’s motivation?
I want to do a design project with a friend, for study purposes, but I experienced some obstacles I don’t know how to deal with:
We didn’t learn yet how to deal with objections or dislikes from the other. As a result our meetings are inefficient, either because we let the other do whatever they want, or because someone gets into a bad mood and instead of thinking, they try to put on an unaffected face.
My friend has a habit of letting their attention stray away, and they do it at the most unexpected times.
I know that being sincere is needed and inevitable, but I would like to learn a method to keep the attention and motivation even in these situations. My problem is that I don’t know what to say or do to keep our task looking interesting and fun to do.
As a possible solution I thought of inserting a 5 minute period where we shouldn’t say any good things, not even a word, but have to point out the bad parts of our own work.
But I fear this one won’t be enough, that’s why I would like to hear ideas and tricks that could make our sessions going.