Why a relationship?
What would be different about your life if you were in a relationship? How do you want it improve your life? Are there other ways to make these things happen sans significant other?

Identify traits that you value most.
What do you value most about yourself? What values are most important to you in a partner? In a relationship?

Visualize your ideal partner.
We know that Patrick Dempsey is taken, but what if he had a cute younger brother who worked hard, but not too hard, cooked great dinners and danced well. Is that what you’re looking for? What does your dream guy look like? How does he treat you? What does he say, do and think? Pretend anything is possible and describe everything you would like to see in your perfect guy.

Prioritize.
Take your dream description from above and select the two to three things that are most important to you. Choose the qualities you feel are critical for you to really be happy and satisfied. Be sure to phrase them in terms of what you want, not what you don’t want. For example, state that you want someone who treats you with kindness and respect, rather than someone who is not rude. This is also the time to remove items like “he must play tennis” from your list.