Marriage has a reputation for being difficult, with the divorce rate hovering around 50 percent. But marriage doesn’t have to be this way! With the right tools and techniques, couples can build a better marriage and have happy, successful relationships that last long into the future. This guide provides actionable advice on how to build better relationships and improve communication within your marriage so you can create the long-lasting love and friendship that makes marriage such an amazing institution.

Take the Time to Work on It

Working on your marriage is an ongoing process, not a one-time endeavor. Just like building an awesome car or getting in shape, your marriage will take some effort. So don't just read these tips, think about them, talk about them with your spouse and put them into action. When you do that consistently over time, you'll build a better relationship—one you can both enjoy! A Word of Caution: A lot of people look at their spouse as a project. If only I could change him/her, they might say. But try not to think of it that way. You are working on yourself too, after all!

Commit to Not Letting Things Slide

If you’re committed to having a better marriage, you won’t let things slide. When something is bothering your spouse, you don’t brush it off. Instead, you ask how she feels about whatever happened (or is happening). Even if you think it may be your fault—even if he or she is overreacting—you listen without defense, knowing that understanding where each other are coming from helps build trust, which in turn can help strengthen your commitment and relationship overall. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have boundaries, but it does mean that when your partner has an issue with you, instead of ignoring it or letting time pass until they forget about it on their own, you sit down and talk through what happened. This way nothing festers; issues get dealt with right away so they don't grow into bigger problems later on down the road.

Think Outside the Box When Dealing With Issues

There’s always more than one way to look at situations. The fact that you’re having trouble working out problems with your spouse doesn’t mean you can’t be happy. It just means you haven’t found a solution that works. Learn how to think outside of common boxes by reading up on other people’s experiences with their spouses, or try setting aside your ego and admitting that maybe your partner is right about something once in a while – it might save your relationship.

Communication is Key

A good marriage is one built on open lines of communication. You need to be able to communicate effectively in order to get through tough times and make smart decisions about your finances, chores, where you want your relationship to go, and more. Remember, if you are finding it difficult communicating with your spouse or significant other then there is always someone else who can help you out. Check out an online couple’s counselor in Fort Collins at gurulex.com today!

Hone in on Your Strengths

Setting goals is one of your most important tasks in building a successful relationship, but it’s also one of your most difficult. In practice, it can be very easy for partners to get competitive about goal setting. If you want to build a better marriage, though, make sure you don’t do that—instead, talk about long-term goals together as a team, but then set up individual systems that allow each partner personal control over their own progress toward those shared goals. This way, both people feel like they have some say in things that affect them on an individual level. You can even write down exactly what you expect from each other with regards to goal