Building Trust in Your Relationship Using these 7 Critical Steps

These 7 steps to building relationships are critical to couples looking for long-term love and partnership. However, some of these tips are not what most of us think of first! These deceptively simple steps are most effective in improving and maintaining your trust and connection together in your relationship.

1.Be Predictable – Many couples tend to want to spice things up when they feel like they’re in a rut. The problem with this approach is that it focuses on the problem “things are dull” and often times the spiciness is sporadic. Doing different things together is nice - watching a movie or going to a new restaurant, but what really keep the fires going is being consistent and reliable. People feel comfortable when they understand and trust that their loved one will be there no matter what happens.

2.Watch that body language! Partners love words of passion and dedication, but if you’re not truly feeling it, mixed messages will overshadow your words. People pick up on this pretty quickly, so mean what you say. If you’re upset but you tell her everything is fine, she’s not going to believe you when she sees your face frowning, arms crossed, lips pursed. Honesty is essential in building trust in your relationship. If there’s a problem, work it out together. You’ll find you both will come out of it stronger.

3.Believe in your partner. You’re in this together and can learn from each other’s strengths and weaknesses. There’s never competition in a trusted relationship. If there is something he can’t do and it’s important to, talk it out lovingly. Believe that the answers are within you both. Belief in yourself, your partner and your relationship can create an unbreakable bond.

4.Don’t keep secrets! This one is a definite relationship killer! The energy it takes to hide, to lie, to get others to lie is so overwhelming and your partner will find out anyway. Prevention is best. Determine if your actions warrant secrecy. If so, don’t do it. Discuss things together and try to come to better solutions. If you’ve already have secrets, she probably already knows something isn’t quite right. Swallow your pride and come clean. Deal with the repercussions and try to move forward. Honesty really does go a long way to building trust.

5.Express your needs. Mind reading and guessing games kill relationships. We have needs and should not be shy to express them. Your partner loves you, but is not you and cannot know everything you’re thinking. Knowing each other’s needs allows the possibilities of those needs to be met.

6.Just say no. On the other end of the spectrum, we tend to do everything our partners ask us, this is not good either. It’s great if she expresses her needs and meeting those needs can be very fulfilling. But a partner can easily lose respect for you if you never say no. Listen to your partner, but do not let yourself be taken for granted.

7.Grow together. Relationships can be a source of fun and happiness, but it can also be tested through crisis or problems that come up. The way you approach and deal with whatever comes up in your lives will determine how much you will grow as a couple.

That bond is strengthened every time you make it through the fire. And there’s no better person to trust than the person who has been there for you in your darkest hours and in your brightest moments.