4 Things To Do As A Couple This Year For A Better Future

Author: Jennifer Kropf

As a new year approaches, we usually think about setting personal goals and resolutions to create a better year. This year, add in your significant other or spouse when planning for the future. Set aside time to do these four things that will help you have a healthier relationship with your significant other and a more fulfilling future together.

  1. Get clear about your future goals together.

Consider the main priorities and values in your lives. What do you want your future to look like? What dreams and plans do you have together? Your main priorities are the goals you absolutely must accomplish. You use these priorities as a guide to measure anything else that fits into your life.

Pick 2-3 areas to set SMART goals with your partner. Smart goals are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Reliable, and Time-bound. This method of goal setting helps motivate, give you a sense of direction, and organize your goal-setting.

  1. Identify and focus on resolving common conflicts.

The top common things that most couples fight about will not surprise you.

  • Finances

  • Parenting

  • Free time

  • Physical Intimacy

  • Division of household chores

  • Communication

Identify the issues and conflicts that tend to happen in your relationship. You will likely find a common thread to your arguments. Have an honest and respectful conversation about your common conflicts. Seek to understand your partner’s point of view and then share yours. Knowing your issues and where you each stand can help prevent you from having the same argument over and over again. Even if you decide to agree to disagree. Try to stay in the present in any conversation you have and not call up past arguments or offenses.

  1. Create a Couples Vision Board.

Now that you have discussed goals and worked on resolving common conflict, create a couples vision board. A couples vision board will help you and your significant other visualize the future together and focus on what you want. It will help you get to know your partner better, have healthier communication with one another, and align goals and dreams.

You will use the priorities and goals you have already discussed to focus on. Common categories on a couples vision board include finances, family, dreams, travel, and overall wellness.

Read Vision Boards for Couples: 115 Ideas & Examples to find out how to make a vision board that will work for you and your partner. Explore ideas and examples to help you while you create.

Need one for the whole family? Check out these great vision boards for kids too!

  1. Set aside time to check-in.

You and your significant other have taken time to work on a healthier relationship and future. Set up time in your calendar to check in toward your progress and to make adjustments and improvements toward your goals.

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do, so throw off the bowlines, sail away from safe harbor, catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore, Dream, Discover." – Mark Twain