Does your spouse inspire you?
Do you think your spouse would say that you inspire them?
One of the many benefits of marriage is having someone to motivate you every step of
the way. After all, if you’re not each other’s biggest fans, who will be?
The Good Book says, “Encourage each other every day … (Hebrews 3:13a).
Your relationship requires ongoing affirmation and encouragement to be healthy. And this is the perfect time of year to start practicing this
habit.
How to Motivate Your Spouse
Nagging does not work.
Nor do threats, ultimatums, bribes or trades.
Sure, they might trigger the response you're looking for every so often, but they'll damage your relationship in the long run because your partner will go from pleasing to appeasing you.
Pointing out your partner’s strengths is one of the best ways to motivate them.
Build
your partner up.
EVERYONE has areas they need to improve, including you. Focusing on your partner’s strengths fuels them.
Applaud them.
Believe in them.
Support them.
Appreciate them.
Increase their value.
Inspire them to grow
as a person - into becoming the best version of themselves. Do it for them, be there for them because you love them; anything else is manipulation pure and simple.
If you’re able to help your spouse with their goals or dreams, lend your support freely; be a team.
And when others
criticize your spouse (they will), your job is to help them determine if it’s legitimate.
Even the most self confident person has a hard time being objective about their strengths and weakness when facing criticism.
Become the voice of objectivity and stability for your spouse in these
situations. When we get criticized, it's easy to think things are worse than they really are. Be the encouraging, supportive voice of reason; focus them on the truth.
Unconditional Love
Assuring your spouse of
your unconditional love and acceptance is another way to motivate your partner.
Let your spouse know that you don’t expect perfection (if you do, get over it).
Give your partner room to be imperfect. It'll inspire them to consider making changes, otherwise they’ll resist you.
One more thing: Let your partner’s past mistakes and failures remain in the past.
Inspire your spouse through your actions.
Actions speak louder than words. When your spouse sees you making an effort to reach a goal, or raising your standards, they’ll be inspired to do the same.
You know the old saying, “Birds of a feather…” — well, maybe it’s time to consider changing your feathers.
Set mutual goals and motivate each other. You’ll grow closer as you work towards a common goal.
If you find it easier to stay motivated in a larger group, find another couple with similar goals and interests and ask them to join you on your journey.
We all crave encouragement, motivation and affirmation. Marriage should create the perfect environment for this to happen. So let manipulation be a thing of the past as we close the history book on
2017.
Until next time, this is Mike Tucker and I want YOU to be mad about marriage!
