Goal Setting: as a couple and as individuals
In a post a few days ago, I wrote about what the elements are to building a 40 year marriage. I talked specifically about my parents’ anniversary celebrations, but I didn’t mention one very valuable aspect of their relationship that they have always done which they shared with Dan and I: goal setting. Goal setting has since become a very important part of our marriage and a key element of couplesquestions.com.Every year my parents would go away for at least one night, but usually for the weekend. They would leave their four children (I’m #3) with my Dad’s mom, go somewhere not too far away (usually Tofino) and use that time to reconnect, go over their goals and make some new ones for the coming year. I suppose it was kind of an Annual General Meeting for their relationship. But, it wasn’t all business, I’m sure. If I know my folks, they made time to explore, to hike, to learn something new about the place they were staying and to have a romantic dinner or two. But in all of that, they spent some time talking about their personal goals, about their goals for their relationship and their goals for the family.
Just like it is in business, for athletes, for students or for people trying to get healthy, setting goals is a great tool for couples (and for families). Goal setting can help you focus on what you really want to do and meeting those goals can help you to feel successful. For more on the importance of goal setting, check out this very nice little article by Alex Cleanthous. As a couple you might set fitness goals, financial goals, household goals (paint the house, organize the garage), or goals for your relationship ( practice better communication, have a special date night at least once a month, read a “couples” book together and discuss).
You should also set personal goals, too, and that way you can support each other in reaching for and achieving your dreams. When my parents do this each year, they always refer to it as making their “no regrets plan”. I really admire them for not wanting life to pass them by without at least TRYING to achieve some of the things they want to before they can't anymore.
I was reminded of this style of life planning when I saw Lance Armstrong on Ellen the other day and he was encouraging a cancer patient to continue to work on his life goals. What an amazing way to help a person stay focused on their LIFE while struggling with an illness. We can all learn from that, I think. What was the line from that Tim McGraw song? “He said someday I hope you get the chance to live like you were dying”.
Find your “no regrets plan” for yourself and for each other!
Happy Couples, Happy Planet!
Labels: goals
posted by Heather and Dan @ 6:36 AM
1 Comments :
keeping the 'no regrets plan' !!!!!
again kudos for your site!!!!
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