Before choosing a mate you should set your standards and goals based upon your expectations prior to entering into the relationship. For most people seeking a mate its much easier for them to say what they do not want in a relationship than it is for them to tell you what they do want. If you set your own standards and goals before hand then your not as easily manipulated into conforming to his/her ways of doing things. Be sure your potential mate has the capability of meeting the standards you set. It's not fair to you or your mate to set high standards and choose a mate who is not even capable of meeting your expectations. That is to much pressure on you and your mate, also a recipe for disaster.

Do not compromise your standards for the sake of being in a relationship always maintain your morals, ethics, values and goals. Look for red flags in the beginning stages of the development process of the relationship. When a person tells you who they are believe them, if you will listen with your physical ears as well as your heart you will discern the truth. In most cases a person will test your boundary's and limitations to see if your standards are solid or if your more flexible than you willing to admit. Its ok to compromise by choice but be sure you have already decided beforehand which areas you are willing to compromise in. To much flexibility is a sure sign of a lack of confidence on your part which leans toward insecurity. 

 We teach people how to treat us based upon what we are willing to accept or reject. This is why it is so important not to allow yourself to be swept off of your feet and blinded by love without boundary's or limitations set in motion. Once emotions are in full effect its hard to set boundary's without compromise because your emotions influence your decision making process. We have to take full responsibility for our part in a relationship headed for destruction. We see the caution signs long before it becomes a dead-end we just continue to ignore them as if they are going to go away.  

Set your standards maintain your goals by letting your "yes" mean yes and your "no" mean no. Set your priorities according to your expectations in a relationship and keep the main thing the main thing. You determine who is right for you based upon the strategies you us when you choose Mr. or Misses right.