Athletes do it, so do professional singers, actors and many corporate executives. In order to be the best they can be, successful people hire coaches to teach, train and instruct them on their craft. Often times, it is the coach, who helps devise the game plan which leads and inspires the team to victory. The most significant team or partnership that exists is the one between husband and wife but how often do they have a plan for their success?
We have often stated how it amazes us at how much more time people spend planning their wedding than they do planning their marriage. The wedding should be a meaningful event to be cherished but it is only one day compared to the marriage which will last for a lifetime. Starting your marriage off with a strategic plan designed by a coach sets you up for success. As the old adage goes “failure to plan is the same as planning to fail.” Before you encounter any major problems in your relationship, devise a long-term plan to help you address those issues before they arise.
If you discussed things like whether or not to have children, how many you should have and who will take care of them, you are ahead of the game. But the marriage plan needs to extend far beyond these basics to include extended family, finances, fidelity and any other unforeseen circumstances that could arise. For example, what would you do if your spouse needed to become the primary caregiver for their parent? What happens if you planned on having a dual income family and one of you cannot or will not work? Have you discussed the implications of infidelity? What would you do if your partner cheated? How would you feel if they wanted an open marriage? If one of you were completely paralyzed how would that change the dynamics of your relationship? Have you discussed your deal-breakers? What are the things that are so important to you that you cannot live with or without? With the appropriate amount of support, confidentiality, information and guidance, we can help design a plan to help you navigate through these potential pitfalls while helping you achieve your goal of a successful marriage whether you are just starting a relationship or have been married for many years – it’s never too late!
CONTACT US during the month of March and mention this blog to receive a COMPLIMENTARY Marriage Plan session!
Levett and Pia Washington are relationship experts and co-authors of Shades of Love: Portraits of Successful Marriages. They are principals of The ECI Group which offers executive and relationship coaching services and hosts conferences, workshops and seminars for couples. Together since the age of 13, the husband and wife coaching team offer invaluable insight into the male and female roles in any relationship. For more information contact them at 818-601-2719 or visit their website at www.TheECIGroup.com
