Powerful Business Strategies To Improve Your Relationship

Have you ever noticed the similarities of what makes a business successful and a successful relationship? Successful businesses have clearly defined values, goals, and priorities. They also likely have a clear vision. I think healthy relationships instill similar strategies. Many business and corporations do quarterly, mid-year, or annual reviews. This is a time set aside on the calendar with the plan to talk about the past several months and the months to follow.  There is a clear correlation between these business “reviews” and having a check-in with your spouse. Let’s talk about how you can use these powerful business strategies to improve your relationship.

4 Strategies to Improve Your Relationship

Values

Most organizations have identified values that are expected among all team members to obtain. One of the reasons for these values is to maintain a healthy culture within the organization. Does your relationship have specific values? What matters in your relationship? What do you want to see from you and your partner?  As well, what are you doing that tells one another you recognize these values and will model them both in your interactions with each other and when you are apart?

Goals

Another one of the strategies to improve your relationship is goals. The discussion may start with the progress of current goals or bringing new goals to the table. Does your relationship have goals? Maybe you and your partner want to travel more. How about improving your communication? Perhaps you want to buy a house or sign up for a dance class. Goals in a relationship help you grow together. If you don’t have any goals, set some time aside to start with 1 or 2 you can accomplish by the end of the year. If you have goals, have you taken the time to review your progress? Have you celebrated what you have accomplished?

Priorities

Working for any company, most employees can tell you there is always something that needs your attention. Identified priorities tell us where we want to focus more of our attention during this year or season. Relationships are no different. There are so many areas that pull for our attention: communication, sex, family, finances, friends, work, kids, pets, a house, etc. With so many things to do, where do you start? If you have priorities, take some time to reflect on how you have been focusing on these areas and the impact this attention as had. If you don’t know what your priorities are, pick one.  

Vision

Where are we going? Vision is crucial to any business. What is the plan over the next few years? Will there be growth, expansion, or how about cutbacks? Without plans, hope, or even ideas, things can get stale. Are things stale in your relationship? Maybe it’s time to plan or review what you want from the future. Would you like to move, buy a house, adopt, or start a business? Having a vision for your relationship keeps you and your partner moving forward. As well, it can strengthen your relationship as you work towards a common goal.    

If these four areas are new for you, set some time aside with your partner and make these a part of your relationship. Be intentional about investing in your relationship. If you have foundational pieces like values, goals, priorities, and vision, take time for a mid-year review. Look for progress and assess for any needed changes. Don’t just let good intentions become words on paper. 

What will you be discussing in your mid-year review?