Let me first start by addressing the elephant in most of our living rooms… Most of us are great at setting goals. We’re constantly learning how to inspire, be more productive, and learn more about God. But how many of us actually spend time planning for our marriage to be better each year?
If you’re like me, your TO-DO list is full of things you need to do, and probably a bit more sparse when it comes to investing in your relationships. Don’t worry; you’re not alone, but we don’t need to stay this way either. š
Here are some of my fool-proof ways (adapted from and inspired by the awesome, Michael Hyatt) to help give your marriage a needed boost this coming year.
This exercise can be done alone, but preferably with your spouse. Save this post and come back when you’ve got 10-20 minutes of undistracted time. Better yet, incorporate this exercise into your next date night! If 20 minutes sounds too long, set a timer for 10 minutes and see how you both feel. If you need more time, take it, if not, no worries.
On a piece of paper, draw a square that has four boxes in it. Write the words:
KEEP, IMPROVE, START, STOP (one in each box).
KEEP: In this box, write down something you’d like to KEEP doing next year that was great for your marriage last year.
IMPROVE: In this box, write down something you’d like to IMPROVE upon next year to help strengthen your marriage.
START: In this box, write down something you’d like to start doing next year to enhance your marriage.
STOP: In this box, write down something you’d like to STOP doing next year because it wasn’t good for your marriage.
A little advice on navigating through this with your spouse, don’t make this time about you. If your spouse shares something that they’d like you both to stop doing next year, see it as an opportunity for growth, both individually, and for your marriage.
Marriages don’t get better with time, they get better with intentionality. It’s not about being perfect, because neither you nor your spouse is perfect, it’s about being humble enough to change. By making those tiny changes, you will make your marriage stronger and more fun!
Psalm 34:12-16
“Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days,
keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies.
Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.
The eyes of theĀ Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are attentiveĀ to their cry;
but the face of theĀ Lord is against those who do evil,
to blot out their name from the earth.”
Tell me in the comments some of the things you and your hubby chatted about. I’m excited for all of us to improve our marriages this next year!
Until next time,
Happy Marriaging!