Improve Your Relationship in 10 Hours a Week

Entering a relationship is one of the most exciting things – you’re endlessly learning about someone else, and getting to share parts of you with them, too.

But then life happens: we get busy. Work picks up, you have to keep your friends and family in your life, and maybe you and your partner start a family of your own.

As time goes on, it becomes more challenging to prioritize the relationship with your partner among all the other things you have to do.

But your relationship with your partner is the most important. You and your partner are there to support each other through all of life’s challenges.

When life gets busy, you can set aside intentional time to improve your relationship in just 10 hours per week. Here are some things to keep in mind:

* Relationships take work. Be intentional about the effort you put into the relationship if you want to preserve your relationship, family, or marriage.

* Quality over quantity. Good relationships don’t require all the time in the world. If you have a limited amount of time or energy, focus on being present with your partner for small amounts of time first.

* Be consistent. Instead of expecting you or your partner to change overnight, commit to consistency.

If you feel overwhelmed by where your relationship is currently, try to focus on putting your best energy into these following ways to improve your relationship.

Schedule 10 hours per week with your partner to do the following:

1. Date night.

Schedule a date night where you spend at least two, uninterrupted hours with your partner. Sharing quality time together gives you both something to look forward to.

* Cook dinner together, or just enjoy a movie on the couch. Get creative! Try new dates from time to time.

2. Morning routine.

Take five minutes every morning to focus on each other. Ask what is lined up for the day, any special arrangements that need to be made, or simply sit with each other. When you do this daily, it’s only 35 minutes of the entire week!

3. Weekly relationship meeting.

Not to be confused with date night, this is an hour or hour and a half meeting to talk about the relationship. This is an easy-to-implement meeting perfect for people with busy schedules.

* Start with a weekly check-in, and then move onto any unresolved issues.
* Ask about how you can support each other in the upcoming week.
* Share something your partner does that makes you feel loved, so that they can do more of it.

4. Surprise and delight your partner.

Some people feel most loved when you do something out of the ordinary for them. Think about acts that will bring a smile to their face, like preparing their favorite dish or buying their favorite chocolate bar!

5. Express physical affection.

Carve at least 15 minutes of your day to be physically affectionate with your partner. 15 minutes is the bare minimum and includes hugging, touching and cuddling.

6. Appreciation.

Write your partner a note, or express your appreciation verbally. The best compliments are specific. Be specific about what you appreciate about your partner.

* Send a text to your partner stating your appreciation for something specific.

* Leave a handwritten note thanking your partner for something they did for you.

* Look into your partner’s eyes and tell them what you appreciate about them.

7. Touch base.

Keep an open line of communication with your partner. Touch base when you get home from work, being gone for a while, etc.

By taking these ten hours to improve your relationship each week, you’re creating a space where you can both share your biggest fears and underlying needs with each other.

You’re putting in the effort to learn and understand each other, show affection, and have a happy relationship.

P.S. Liked this post? Be a sharer and spread the word on FaceBook or Twitter

And I'd love to hear your views or suggestions too! Just click the Comments link below and tell us your story - Thanks!


Cheers, Helene Malmsio

Related Reading: How to build long lasting relationships

Common Mistakes That Ruin Relationships

Relationships are challenging. We don't receive a lot of instruction from the educational system, and many of us don't have effective role models to use as a healthy reference.

Relationships also come with a lot of ego sensitivity. Even the most laid back individuals can get quite dramatic when it comes to relationship issues.

The prospect of rejection can make people do crazy things. There's no doubt that relationships are sometimes very challenging to navigate.

Avoid the most common mistakes that ruin relationships:

1. Attempting to change the other person.

If you've ever tried to lose weight or get yourself to do something you don't want to do, you know how challenging it can be to change.

It's 10 times harder to change another person. Expect that your partner will never change. Assuming you can mold him into something you can live with is foolish.

2. Avoiding confrontation at all costs.

Some things aren't worth arguing about. The things that really bother you are worth addressing. Otherwise, how will the situation ever improve?

You're setting yourself up to be annoyed, hurt, or frustrated on a daily basis for the rest of your life. Hard talks are necessary from time to time.

3. Not maintaining enough distance from your ex.

Your ex might still be your friend. You might even share children together.

But there's a limit to what your current partner should have to deal with. Late-night, semi-intimate texts are out of line.

4. Focusing on the negative.

Take a few minutes each day to jot down those things you appreciate about your partner.

You'll find that you feel more positive about your partner. Interestingly, they haven't changed. You have.

5. Failing to communicate your needs.

Men don't want to communicate. Many women think men should be able to read their minds. Neither is an effective way to manage a relationship.

Take responsibility for your relationship and your happiness by communicating clearly.

6. Failing to take care of yourself.

Men and women are both guilty of this. A relationship is no reason to stop going to the gym or to start wearing your pajama bottoms to the store.

As shallow as it may seem, part of the reason you fell in love with each other was based on your appearances. Take as much pride in your appearance today as you did in the past.

7. Moving too quickly.

Relationships have a better chance for survival if they're eased into.

When a relationship moves too quickly, there's one partner that's at least a little uncomfortable with the pace. Avoid rushing and enjoy the process.

8. Failing to give your partner space.

You have a life together. You also have separate lives. Allow each other the space to breathe. You don't have to be joined at the hip 24/7.

An intimate relationship can add a lot of value to your life. However, that value doesn't come cheaply. They can take up a lot of mental space and create negative emotions.

Relationships are challenging, but many of those challenges can be prevented by avoiding the most common relationship mistakes.

If you've had relationship mishaps in the past, ensure that you're not making any of these common mistakes. A few, small changes could make all the difference.

"Power Tips" magazine is back!
You Get A Free Complete Self Help Report delivered to your email box every edition, plus you get a free PLR article and other great gifts!

SUBSCRIBE BELOW ...  I promise you will want to USE what you learn!

I really want to know what you think of this site, this page, and to hear your tips or suggestions about it.

So please share your story or simply add a Comment in the comment box.

If you feel that the information on this page has been useful to you please give it a Like or share it with your friends - thanks!!

"You are a life Saver!!

I recently discovered this site and I can tell you that my life has not been the same. I now come here EVERYDAY and spend at least 1 hour.

I used to spend that time browsing online fashion and beauty magazine which just means that I spend more. Now I have replaced that habit with coming here.

In future I will think about contributing articles as well. Thank you! Thank you!! Thank you!!! and God bless"

Contact Us | About Us | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | FAQ | Testimonials

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.