Even when you and your partner have made it to the Secure Phase of your relationship, you still need to put effort into your relationship. The key to relationship success is realizing that there is constant work to be done. A weekly meeting to discuss relationship goals can be a powerful way to maintain a strong, healthy bond. In this blog post, we’ll guide you through the steps to establish and conduct these “CEO” meetings, nurturing your love through consistent communication.
How to Establish Weekly Relationship Goal Meetings:
- Set a Regular Time: Choose a specific day and time that works for both of you. Consistency is key to making this a habit. Adjust as necessary, of course, but try to maintain a schedule.
- Create a Comfortable Setting: Find a quiet, comfortable place where you can talk openly and without distractions. Roommates or family should be out of earshot, so you don’t have to speak in code or hide vulnerability.
- Use “I” Statements: During the meeting, express your thoughts and feelings using “I feel (emotion) when (situation happens)” statements to avoid blame or criticism.
- Listen Actively: Pay attention to your partner’s thoughts and feelings, and ensure that they feel heard and understood. Remember that life is dynamic, and sometimes priorities change. Be open to adjusting goals as circumstances evolve.
- Set SMART Goals: When discussing new goals, use the SMART criteria: – Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound. This makes your goals easier to track and stick to.
What to Talk About:
- Celebrate Achievements: What has been going well in the relationship? What is something your partner did this week that you appreciated? What progress have you made as a couple in the last week?
- Relationship Review: What are you working on, regarding the relationship or individually, that you want your partner to acknowledge or provide feedback? How have your SMART goals been going>
- Individual Support: What support do you need from your partner this week? What is happening this week that is causing you anxiety/stress/etc? How has your partner been meeting your relational needs? What needs do you still need to be met by your partner?
- Problem Solving: What is something you want to request that your partner work on, regarding the relationship or individually? What do you need to work on as a couple at this time? This could be relational work or logistical work.
- Logistics: Are there any logistical issues that need to be discussed? This could include scheduling, childcare, travel, transportation, bills, etc. When are you going to fit in a date this week or spend time together connecting?
Establishing a routine of weekly relationship CEO meetings is an investment in the health and happiness of your partnership. By maintaining open communication, working on shared goals, and nurturing your connection through these meetings, you’re not only promoting understanding, maintaining alignment, preventing misunderstanding and fostering growth, but building a stronger relationship.