{"id":80753,"date":"2022-09-30T08:44:42","date_gmt":"2022-09-30T08:44:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/?p=80753"},"modified":"2024-12-07T13:43:44","modified_gmt":"2024-12-07T13:43:44","slug":"marriage-goals-for-a-healthy-relationship","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/love\/marriage-goals-for-a-healthy-relationship\/","title":{"rendered":"15 Marriage Goals for a Healthy and Lasting Relationship"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\"Happy<\/p>\n

We all have a choice. We can drift through life until, one day, we realize it’s all over. Alternatively, we can set goals to guide us towards possibilities. More specifically, marriage goals align you with each other and motivate you through tough times.  <\/span><\/p>\n

Having a road map for ourselves and our relationships allows us to optimize our life. Goals give us that road map while also supporting our belief in ourselves.<\/span><\/p>\n

According to <\/span>Dionne Reid<\/span><\/a>, an experienced transformational coach:<\/span><\/p>\n

A marriage without a shared vision is like a ship without a compass—it may stay afloat but will never reach its full potential.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Studies show that goals <\/span>increase<\/span><\/a> motivation and personal satisfaction. The same happens with marriage goals. This doesn’t just apply to businesses and schools. <\/span><\/p>\n

As human beings, if we don’t have something to aim for, we lose interest. It’s the same with goals in a relationship. If we forget why we’re together, there’s nothing to hold us after the initial spark has become routine. <\/span><\/p>\n

So, what are the goals in a relationship? <\/span><\/p>\n

They are the dreams we have for our lives. They are the vision of our ideal selves that we’re working towards. Yes, marriage goals are an intricate balance of individual and couples’ goals.<\/span><\/p>\n

Relationship mentor Dionne Reid further shares:<\/p>\n

The dreams we hold as individuals can either divide us or bind us, depending on how we choose to share them with each other.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Wedding goals and balancing the different goals in a relationship as it evolves are essential parts of <\/span>marital satisfaction<\/span><\/a>. Essentially, goals are driven by our internal needs. Some of them are basic, such as safety; others are more complex, such as the need for love. <\/span><\/p>\n

According to psychologist Abraham Maslow, these needs, or the <\/span>Hierarchy of Needs<\/span><\/a>, have a significant social element. Marriage goals make up a large part of that social element where we aim to become a particular type of couple and type of married person. <\/span><\/p>\n

In summary, marriage goals heavily impact our well-being. Either we reach them and become who we strive to be, increasing our sense of fulfillment. Alternatively, our <\/span>“young couple goals<\/span><\/a>” never get met and we enter a world of disharmony and conflict. <\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span>How to use marriage relationship goals to fortify your marriage <\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

Setting couple goals means that you <\/span>set expectations<\/span><\/a>. You ensure that you discuss, for example, relationship family goals. If one partner wants several kids but the other doesn’t want kids, you potentially have an irreconcilable issue.  <\/span><\/p>\n

Setting goals for married couples<\/span><\/a> is a reliable way to have those conversations about what you want from the relationship. Although, critically, you shouldn’t sacrifice your personal life goals. <\/span><\/p>\n

We all have different goals in a relationship and defining your marriage goals means respecting those various wants. Overall, a marriage purpose has to respect both people and what the couple wants to aim for. <\/span><\/p>\n

How to set goals as a couple means understanding the different types of marriage goals. These <\/span>3 types<\/span><\/a> are companionship, personal growth and instrumental goals. The first one is where couples find the balance between commitment and intimacy while respecting how it changes throughout their lives.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Man<\/p>\n

“Personal growth” marriage goals are about <\/span>supporting each other<\/span><\/a> in learning<\/span>, experiencing, and evolving as a self. Some psychologists define love as an extension of oneself to nurture another’s growth.<\/span><\/p>\n

As an empowerment mentor, Dionne Reid highlights that:<\/p>\n

True love celebrates growth—even when it leads to an unfamiliar place; real partnership is about expanding together, including sometimes to unknown territory.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Finally, instrumental goals cover all the practicalities of life, such as housework and finances. Please don’t underestimate the power of housework, as the 25% of couples who split up because of it will tell you. <\/span><\/p>\n

This<\/span> Harvard Business School<\/span><\/a> study confirms that percentage while also telling us to get more food deliveries to reduce a couple’s stress further. <\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span>15 marriage goals examples to strengthen your relationship <\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

It’s easy to get lost in how to achieve marriage goals, such as <\/span>planning date nights<\/span><\/a> and focusing on the positives. Instead, ask yourself what “couple goals” mean. It means defining shared goals that are both visionary and realistic.<\/span><\/p>\n

Here, Dionne Reid mentions:<\/p>\n

Marriage goals are more than wishful thinking—they are aspirations to create a blueprint for a shared, happy, healthy life and legacy.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Consider the following examples of relationship goals as you reflect on the specific details for your couple. <\/span><\/p>\n

1. Grow together <\/b><\/h3>\n

One of the key relationship goals for couples is to agree to support each other’s growth. We never stop learning but sometimes we need a sounding board to help us process our various experiences. <\/span><\/p>\n

Related Reading- <\/i><\/b>Strengthen Your Marriage and Friendship – Grow Smart Together<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/pre>\n
2. Support each other’s humanness<\/b><\/h3>\n
A great “couples goals” list includes remembering that we’re both humans. Accepting each other’s mistakes and foibles isn’t always easy. Instead, we commit to learning to withhold judgment and appreciate the other’s insecurities and issues. <\/span><\/p>\n
3. Strengthen your values <\/b><\/h3>\n
A relationship goals checklist needs to refer to our core values. If our fundamental beliefs are different, we will never agree on marriage goals and set ourselves up for a life of conflict.<\/span><\/p>\n
If you want to explore your values, listen to entrepreneur and author Adriana Girdler go through her 3-step process in this video:<\/span><\/p>\n