Fostering a healthy, romantic relationship is not something to be scoffed at. It takes a ton of time and dedication to make it grow, and even then, there is no guarantee that your relationship will succeed.
Marriage goals allow you to keep that romantic spark in your life. These goals can guide husbands and wives in a more positive direction, rather than drifting apart.
In this article, I’ll cover more about what marriage goals are and tips for properly setting them. Then, you’ll find several marriage goals examples to improve your relationship with your spouse.
What Are Marriage Goals?
Marriage goals are the desired outcomes you and your partner hope to achieve together as a married couple.
They can be big or small, long-term or short-term, but they should be specific enough that you can both work toward them. Some examples of marriage goals include:
- Buying a house
- Having children
- Saving for retirement
- Going on a romantic getaway
Of course, marriage goals will vary from couple to couple depending on their individual needs and desires.
Sit down with your partner and come up with goals that are important to both of you. By working towards common goals, you can strengthen your relationship and build a solid foundation for your future together.
How Do You Set Marriage Goals?
You’re likely wondering, “How do I set effective marital goals?” There are numerous tips you should be aware of when setting marriage goals:
- Make your goals specific and well-defined
- Set a time frame for accomplishing your goals
- Brainstorm all the things you want to reach together as a couple
- Don’t stretch yourself too thin with unrealistic goals
- Create an action plan for how you’ll work toward those goals
- Keep track of your goal progress to stay motivated
Whether you are establishing long-term or short-term goals, you need to ensure your goals follow a structure.
Vague goals without a blueprint won’t lead to a happy ending. It would be nearly impossible to achieve a happy marriage.
12 Marriage Goals Examples for Couples
Since every marriage is unique, no marriage goal fits perfectly into every relationship. That’s why having marriage goals examples can give a helping hand.
Here are 12 examples of marriage goals for you to check out:
1. Express Gratitude to Each Other
Most of us enter marriage with high hopes and dreams. We hope to find our soulmate, have a family, and build a life together.
But sometimes, amid the day-to-day grind, it’s easy to lose sight of what we’re grateful for. That’s why you should make expressing gratitude to each other a priority in a marriage.
Gratitude is the glue that binds us together in good times and bad. It reminds us why we fell in love in the first place. So take a moment each day to show gratitude to your spouse.
Thank them for being by your side, their patience and understanding, and their love. It will make all the difference in your marriage.
2. Schedule Weekly Date Nights
For many couples, life gets pretty busy. Between work, kids, and all the other demands of daily life, it can be tough to find time for just the two of you.
That’s why scheduling regular date nights with your spouse is a must. You can keep the spark alive by setting aside time every week to focus on your relationship. Plus, it’s a fantastic opportunity to reconnect and have some much-needed quality time together.
If you’re looking to improve your marriage, don’t underestimate the power of weekly date nights. It might be the best investment you ever make.
3. Establish Rules for Spending Money
Marriage is a big step in any relationship—it’s a decision to spend the rest of your life with someone, and it also comes with many legal and financial implications.
Alongside your partner, establish some ground rules for how you both will handle money. This can be a difficult conversation, but it’s essential to ensure both partners are on the same page when spending and saving.
If you’re unsure where to start, sit down and make a budget together. Talk about your financial goals and what you’re comfortable with spending on discretionary items. Once you’ve got a plan in place, stick to it as best you can.
4. Be Kind to Your Spouse
One amazing marriage goal is to be kind to your spouse. That means being considerate and thoughtfully taking their needs into account. It also means staying upbeat, which goes a long way toward being kind.
Naturally, this doesn’t mean you should be a doormat or never stand up for yourself. But it does indicate that your marriage will be happier and stronger if you make an effort to show kindness to your spouse.
5. Respect Each Other’s Beliefs
One of the goals of marriage is to respect each other’s beliefs. You and your partner may have different religious or political views, but it is crucial to respect each other’s beliefs.
Agree to disagree, and do not force your opinions on each other. Keeping this in mind will ensure your marriage is robust and healthy.
6. Smile and Laugh Often
If you ask any married couple what their goal for their marriage is, they’ll probably tell you that it’s to be happy.
And what’s the best way to be happy? By smiling and laughing often.
Research has shown that conversations spent laughing with the romantic partner were “positively associated with global evaluations of relationship quality, closeness, and social support.” Thus, couples who laugh together often are more likely to enjoy positive relationships.
Laughter allows you to bond with your spouse and build intimacy. When you share a good laugh, it creates an emotional connection that can help you weather any storm.
If you truly want your marriage to stand the test of time, try keeping things light and cheerful by laughing and smiling more.
7. Reduce Screen Time
I’m sure plenty of us nowadays spend a lot of time on our phones or laptops. And not just for work. We also scroll through social media, read the news, and check our emails.
You should know that the more hours we put into looking at digital screens, the fewer memories we make with loved ones.
That’s why you should consider cutting back on screen time as one of your marriage goals. For one thing, it’s important to spend quality time with your spouse.
But beyond that, you should make sure you’re present for the things most impactful in your daily life. That means putting down your phone and enjoying the moment.
8. Actively Listen to Each Other
When it comes to marriage, you should strive to be actively listening to your spouse at all times.
In other words, pay attention not only to their words but also to their tone of voice, body language, and overall demeanor. This can be a challenge, especially when you’re used to tuning out your partner’s incessant chatter.
But trust me, it is worth the effort.
Actively listening to your spouse will make them feel valued and heard, and it will help you better understand their needs and feelings.
So whenever your spouse starts talking, try your best to listen. You may be surprised by what you learn.
9. Be Forgiving of Mistakes
Being forgiving of mistakes is an important goal to have in marriage. After all, we all make mistakes; it’s a part of being human.
If you can’t forgive your partner when they make a mistake, it will only lead to resentment and bitterness. Over time, this will erode your relationship and make it tough to build a strong bond.
Of course, that doesn’t mean you should let your partner get away with everything. But it does mean that you should be willing to forgive and move on from small transgressions.
Again, everyone is vulnerable to mistakes, so try learning to love each other through the good and the bad.
10. Support Each Other’s Dream
One of the best things about getting married is having a partner who supports your dreams. No matter what you want to accomplish in life, it’s great knowing that someone has your back.
Naturally, it is not always easy to make sacrifices to help your spouse, but it’s worthwhile when you see them reach their goals.
It’s wonderful to encourage each other’s successes, knowing you played a part in making them happen. Realizing that your partner is there to aid you in attaining your dreams is a fulfilling part of being married.
11. Show Appreciation Daily
Most people would agree that marriage is hard work. It’s not always trivial to live with someone else, day in and day out.
There are bound to be disagreements, and sometimes those disagreements can escalate into full-blown arguments. But even on the days when you’re not getting along perfectly, try to show your partner that you appreciate them.
One approach is to perform small acts of kindness daily. Something as simple as making coffee in the morning or taking out the trash can go a long way in making your partner feel valued.
Hence, remember to say “I love you” and express your thanks for the things your partner does for you, big or small.
12. Work as a Collaborative Team
From working on a project around the house to simply taking out the trash, it’s always nice to have someone to lend a helping hand.
And when it comes to working as a collaborative team, there should be no one you would rather work with than your spouse.
Couples always seem to find a way to get things done, even when we don’t necessarily see eye to eye. In the end, that is what marriage is all about working together towards a shared goal.
Final Thoughts
Marriage is an extraordinary part of life because it brings two people together in a committed relationship. But it isn’t always easygoing.
Luckily, marriage goals can ensure your relationship with your spouse is long-lasting.
Marriage goals make it possible for couples to live in peace and happiness. Without marriage goals, it’ll be hard to resolve conflict and keep a healthy relationship.
You should know that even the strongest relationships require effort to maintain over the years. By putting in the work, you can create a marriage that withstands the test of time.
