Blog | Pete and Rachael Herschelman™

3 Ways to Nurture Your Friendships Year-Round

February 16, 2020 Pete and Rachael Herschelman Uncategorized

Another Valentine’s day has come and gone, and if you are not in a relationship, you probably go about ignoring this romantic holiday in general. However, we tend to forget Valentine’s day is not only for lovers but friends as well, and that you can take advantage of this special day to celebrate and nurture your friendships rather than disregard the true meaning of the holiday. If you did not use this day to spend time with your friends, don’t worry, there are other ways in which you can nurture your friendships year-round.

Handwritten Notes

With all the electronic messaging happening right now, receiving a handwritten note or letter holds more weight than what people realize. Due to the scarcity of letters and the fact that it takes time to write and mail it, someone in your friend group is bound to appreciate your thoughtful gesture. Moreover, if you find that your friendships enjoy receiving these letters and even go as far as to respond with a letter of their own, you can begin a meaningful tradition with them by communicating via a handwritten medium rather than through online messaging.

Movie Nights

Although many people think a stay at home movie session has to be grounded upon romantic intentions, movie nights are not only for you and your partner. Stay connected with your friendships by inviting them to a movie night at home. Ask your guests to bring a snack to share. If your friends are film enthusiasts, go as far as to plan a movie marathon. Either watch all of the movies in one committed night or scatter them throughout a week or month to make this time with friends even more meaningful.

Group Traveling

Just like family vacations and marriage trips are used to escape your ordinary routine to bring a little zest and relaxation to your family or partner dynamic, so do group vacations. If you feel like you don’t have time to bond with and nurture your friendships on a day to day basis, think about becoming a little more intentional in seeking the well-being of your relationships with friends by planning a group trip. Head to the mountains, the beach or a historic city as a group and spend the time with friends that you haven’t been able to back home. Take advantage of the escapist nature of travel to put responsibilities back home on pause and give your total focus to having good and pure fun with your friends.

The time after Valentine’s day is perfect to reflect about your friendships and to remind yourself that, like any other relationship, your dynamic with a friend needs constant nurturing and attention to increase its longevity. Although not easy, investing your time and attention towards your friends will only help you strengthen your dynamic. Keep these ideas in mind to build friendships that will last a lifetime.

Why Leaders Should Be Learners

January 15, 2020 Pete and Rachael Herschelman Leadership

When you think of a leader, characteristics like confidence, integrity and resilience might come to mind. However, a key characteristic that many people overlook when analyzing the behavior of a leader is the capability and willingness to learn. The readiness to learn doesn’t come easy, and at times, its harder to be open to new perspectives than to continue down the path of your own.

Why is learning such an empirical aspect of being a great leader?

To Adapt

In whichever business climate or general industry you inhabit, there are bound to be fast-paced changes. As a leader, you must be agile in how you react to the fluctuation of best practices and trends. Leaders are charged with the responsibility of growing an organization, team, business, etc; therefore, they should be fully committed to learning. One way to do this is by being constant readers. This way, you learn about developing knowledge in your industry and can relay this valuable information to your team.

To Set An Example

As a leader, it’s important to remember that you are constantly setting an example for your team – make it a good one. When you value learning, you begin to see the positive impact it has on growth and talent acquisition. By being an active, constant learner, your team members also become active in their commitment to learn and problem-solve every day.

To Become An Active Listener

Listening is a fundamental part of being a successful leader. It not only opens your mind to someone else’s perspective, but it also affects your day to day by being able to listen actively to the people surrounding you. There is a difference between hearing and listening. What are you doing more of? Are you understanding what is being told to you by listening actively? Or are you simply hearing and not retaining the information? If you are constantly learning and making yourself vulnerable to new and better information, your listening skills quickly skyrocket, becoming an asset as a leader.

If you want to become a leader who adapts, sets an example to your team, and listens actively, you are bound to gain all of these characteristics through learning consistently. Why should you stop learning with new information being unearthed every single day? Leaders who ignore the value of learning become stagnant. Go against the current and challenge yourself to become a dynamic and influential leader in your industry. Be a leader who never forgot the worth of being a student.

4 Travel Tips for Headache-Free Holidays

December 17, 2019 Pete and Rachael Herschelman Travel

It’s that time of the year again when people all over the world travel to visit family during the holidays. Many would agree that there is nothing more stressful than traveling during Christmas and New Year other than traveling during or around Thanksgiving. Although there is beauty in sharing a celebration across the globe, there is no denying the extra crowds and unavoidable delays are reason enough dread flying for Christmas. This is why we’ve compiled a few tips for headache-free traveling during the busiest time of the year.

Don’t Travel on Peak Days

The holiday crowds are often a point of stress for many travelers. Not only is this due to the delays they cause, but because every single action during the process of navigating a terminal becomes harder to do, as simple as they are. Therefore, our biggest recommendation is to completely avoid peak days – especially if the whole family is in tow. Instead, consider adjusting your travel dates by a whole day, avoiding extreme crowds and traffic.

Redefine Your Airport Experience

Airports are no longer a transit hub that takes you simply from point A to point B. Many terminals now have amenity-filled malls flush with art exhibitions, shops, restaurants, spas, and yoga rooms. A more eccentric example is the Vancouver International Airport, which has a 30,000-gallon aquarium containing 5,000 creatures. On the other hand, Changi Airport in Singapore offers a rooftop pool you can relax in between flights along with five gardens, a huge slide, a spa, massages, and a free movie theater. So, allocate more time for traveling and take advantage of the many amenities at your disposal.

Mail Holiday Gifts

To make your holiday traveling both figuratively and literally lighter, consider mailing your heaviest holiday gifts beforehand, that is if you are traveling by air. Shipping presents in advance or purchasing them online to have them delivered to your destination are both viable options. However, if you do take gifts with you, we recommend making them small and packable. Finally, remember to leave them unwrapped in any case security personnel needs to open them.

Turn Your Phone into a Travel Tool

You’ll find it surprising that for traveling purposes, your most useful ally is already at your fingertips: your phone! To start with, download your airline’s mobile application to receive flight status updates and other services on your phone. This will give you ease of mind as you are making your way across the terminal and can stop you from making unnecessary stops. Moreover, you can download mobile travel alert apps from Amtrak or State highway authorities. Just make sure to have your phone fully charged and ready for the long day ahead!

Traveling during Christmas and New Year can take a toll on you. This is why we think it is worthwhile to take the time to prepare beforehand and plan for surprises. Be sure to use these tips for streamlined, headache-free travel these upcoming holidays.

3 Ways to Cultivate Kindness in Your Children This Holiday Season

November 15, 2019 Pete and Rachael Herschelman Family, Holistic Health

Kindness and concern for others are regarded as moral virtues in almost every society and major religion. Unfortunately, unadulterated kindness is rare to find in today’s society. Many feel there has been a steady decline in values, and that individual advancement is becoming more and more significant than the ability to care for others. What is most overwhelming, however, is that this tide of unkindness is now reaching children.

A survey conducted by Sesame Street called “K is for Kind: A National Survey on Kindness and Kids,” unveiled that 70% of parents say the world is unkind to their children and 58% of teachers say most children today are disrespectful. Most people are quick to blame other societal factors for this. Some might say it’s the lack of kindness ailing new generations. However, it is clear that parenthood is a direct correlation. Most importantly, this survey helped us realize the importance of actively teaching kindness to children. Therefore, here are a few simple ways you can spark your kid’s wish to help – and what better time than the holidays to do so.

Assign Chores

To truly demonstrate that kindness is a core value, try assigning chores to your children. Kids should understand that a certain amount of help is needed from them, and for no particular reason. Therefore, assigning tasks such as making their beds, cleaning the table, and washing dishes is an integral part of their understanding of kindness. By making them aware that they are not getting anything in return, you are instilling in them an innate obligation to help. Then, kindness will slowly become an instinctive character trait.

Share the Wealth

Teach your children to see the abundance around them and to think of people to share it with. Is your child’s room overflowing with toys and other personal items? Tell them that in order to purchase something else, they must first donate something they own to a donation center. To really bring the point home, make sure you demonstrate this as well. Baked too many cookies this Thanksgiving? Invite your child to take them to your neighbors. By doing this constantly, children will begin to see kindness as an inherent part of life. They will then find opportunities to help others without expectations of them returning the favor.

Notice

This might seem counterintuitive, but praising your child when they do something nice for someone else is a fool-proof tactic to teach them kindness. According to David Schonfeld, M.D., director of development and behavioral pediatrics of Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, children are hardwired to be considerate and kind. He notes that kids help others primarily because it helps them get what they want. However, kids then do acts of kindness because they know they will be praised by their parents and loved ones. It is through this praise that they begin to anticipate the needs of others. Ultimately, it becomes intrinsically rewarding to be considerate and they begin to reflect true kindness with no expectation of praise.

Being kind to others feels good. It helps us step back from our own troubles and creates a sense of interconnectedness with the people around us. Let’s not forget the important role of kindness in our lives and let’s remind ourselves to teach it to our little ones in these three simple ways.

5 Positive Affirmations for Success

October 15, 2019 Pete and Rachael Herschelman Holistic Health

Declaring great things about yourself can seem weird and bizarre. However, you might find it surprising that there are genuine theories and neuroscience behind the practice. So, what are positive affirmations, what is the science behind them, and how can you implement them today on your journey towards success and positivity?

Positive affirmations have become increasingly popular as time and scientific research continues to prove their efficiency. However, the idea might still seem incredibly awkward and hard to embrace when people first hear about it.

What are positive affirmations?

Positive affirmations are positive phrases or statements used to challenge negative self-talk and unhelpful thoughts or habits. If you are constantly battling low self-esteem or harmful thinking, positive affirmations have the ability to combat these subconscious patterns. Thay can then replace them with a healthier narrative. Positive affirmations are also helpful for individuals lacking in motivation and determination regarding goals, projects, and dreams. Many use them as daily motivators to keep themselves under check and highly functioning.

The science behind positive affirmations.

The success of this practice is based on concrete and well-established psychological theory. There are a number of empirical studies based on the idea that we can influence our lives positively by telling ourselves these affirmations. The growing popularity of this method has led to neuroscientific research aimed at whether we can see any changes in the brain when we self-affirm.

These efforts resulted in MRI evidence suggesting that certain neural pathways are increased when people practice self-affirmation tasks (Cascio et al., 2016). More specifically, the ventromedial prefrontal cortex – which deals with positive valuation and self-related information processing – becomes more active.

5 Positive Affirmations to Get You Started

However much science backs it up, talking to yourself can feel silly at first. Therefore, we’ve compiled a list of daily affirmations to ease you into the habit of positively affirming yourself on a daily basis.

“I believe I can do anything”

Even the most cynical out there can benefit from this phrase. Even if you don’t believe it at first, you might find yourself motivated and encouraged to undertake any task that comes your way as this declaration comes into effect.

“Everything that is happening now is happening for my ultimate good”

More than anything, this affirmation functions as a reminder for yourself. Knowing that even the bad has its purpose in your life is empowering and can replace unhealthy defense mechanisms when you are confronted by a negative or otherwise, upsetting situation.

“I’m the architect of my life; I build its foundation and choose its contents”

By declaring this phrase, you are giving yourself control over your life that you might have lost in the past. Not only is it empowering but it holds you accountable for your decisions, ultimately creating greater confidence in yourself.

“I can achieve greatness”

One of the most powerful affirmations is to tell yourself you can achieve greatness in your life. It is common for people to let their skills and talents lay dormant inside of them. By voicing your ability to achieve greatness, you are tapping into those skills and talents on a daily basis. This affirmation not only works as a reminder of those abilities left unused but helps create new ones that you might have otherwise not discovered.

“Today, I’m brimming with energy and overflowing with joy”

You are not always in a good mood or at your best. However, affirming this can help you tap into positive feelings that are becoming overshadowed by negative thoughts. Learning how to tap into these positive feelings even when you are feeling down can help you battle detrimental feelings that can negatively affect you in the long run.

Positive affirmations can be a refreshing way to reverse negative internal messages. Whether you are seeking ways to battle low self-esteem, anxiety or simply need the motivation, know that although positive affirmation cannot completely fix your problems, they lead you towards a path of recovery and positivity. If these affirmations don’t hit home, try coming up with your own. That way they can be more personal and have greater impact on your life.

How to Stay Energized at Work

September 15, 2019 Pete and Rachael Herschelman Holistic Health

Is it hard to find energy at work? Do you find it difficult to remain focused? Tiredness at work is a common ailment for most people. It can harm your work performance while also making your job less enjoyable. And in some professions, it can be a bigger problem than it seems. Whether you work from home, part-time, in a team, or independently, use these tips to keep yourself motivated and the most productive you can be:

Get moving

Research has shown a clear correlation between exercise and brain function time and time again. A short workout in between tasks can help improve your job performance, productivity, and might boost creativity. An article from the Huffington Post in 2013 emphasizes that there are 13 mental benefits to working out, a few of them being improved brainpower, better memory, and increased energy. If you can’t seem to find space between your schedule to fit in a workout, there are other alternatives that might be more realistic for your specific situation. For example, you can do leg lifts while reading emails. Others might prefer parking far away from their building’s entrance in order to jog their brain awake before starting their day. Any amount of movement will help you find energy at work and stay on top of your game.

Use scents as brain food

A wildly underrated member of your five senses, your sense of smell, might be the puzzle piece you’re missing to solve your low energy problems. Essential oils have been proven to increase alertness, memory, accuracy, and mental clarity. Specifically, a peppermint scent. A study in 1990 proved that smelling peppermint essential oil enhanced alertness, focus, and concentration. Essential oils can be applied topically, inhaled, or even sometimes ingested; however, most studies out there have used the inhalation method, which might be easier to do in an office space.

Stare off into space

No, we are not advising you to daydream at work or to stare blankly into an abyss of nothingness for 30 minutes straight. Staring off into space purposefully, however, can have its benefits. Especially if your work is done while staring at a computer screen for hours on end. Your eyes strain themselves when staring at a screen. This worsens exhaustion when they do so for long periods of time. The 20-20-20 rule advises you to look at a point 20-feet away from you, for 20 seconds, every 20 minutes. This breaks the continuous screen fixation and allows your vision to refocus. This method enables your brain to gather the needed energy at work to continue your task without losing momentum.

Your workday is challenging enough with imminent deadlines, projects, and assignments to complete. Therefore, don’t let low energy throw you into a dangerous cycle of unproductiveness. Instead, actively fight it by applying these methods into your everyday work routine. By doing so, you will lead a productive work environment that fosters creativity and establishes a positive relationship with your job as a whole.

Productivity: 3 Psychological Practices To Boost It

August 15, 2019 Pete and Rachael Herschelman Uncategorized

We live in the digital era, where emails, texts, and other forms of communication have facilitated procrastination and “busy” work. However, there are only so many hours in a day, and working outside of work hours, although now a normalized practice, can create burnout. You have heard of time-management strategies such as scheduling and setting time blocks in order to complete your to-do list and reach peak productivity, but it doesn’t need to be this difficult for you to be able to boost your productivity. In fact, research proves that it’s all in our heads and a few mind tricks might do the trick for you. There are many ways to achieve real productivity by influencing your psychological state, but here are three you should try out for yourself.

The Two-Minute Rule

The two-minute rule originates from David Allen’s bestselling book, Getting Things Done. It’s a fairly simple rule – if the task takes less than two minutes to complete, start it now. From answering pesky emails to starting a month-long project, you can apply this rule to small and large tasks alike (For large projects, make sure to segment it into smaller goals and tasks to be able to apply this rule). Sometimes getting started is the most challenging factor when tackling a project or task. However, once you are in motion, much like Sir Isaac Newton taught us long ago, it is most probable you will stay in motion. Use this rule to dive into tasks you’ve put aside or are actively trying to ignore, and find yourself surprised when this simple rule reaps results.

Lighting and Temperature

Research backs it up, lighting and temperature play huge roles in your productivity. In fact, a study by Cornell proved that low temperatures (68 degrees or 20 degrees Celsius) enabled employees to make 44% more mistakes than at optimal room temperature (77 degrees or 25 degrees Celsius). Studies about lighting, although still in their infancy, have proven that more exposure to daylight boosts productivity. Therefore, it’s crucial to regulate temperature and lighting in your office space, whether that be your work-place or home office. Simply open the window, invest in a good desk lamp, and keep an eye on the thermometer to improve productivity.

Focus on Progress, not To-Do Lists

Did you know only half of to-do lists are completed every day? And that 41% of tasks are never truly completed? List-making is a reductive format that doesn’t supplement the work of leaders. People who undertake big projects with no deadlines will not benefit from list-making. Therefore, it is important to reflect and document progress rather than checking boxes out of your to-do list. The simple act of looking back on progress positively influences your sense of accomplishment. This also results in feeling competent and effective with your work, impacting your future undertakings and ultimately becoming more productive. Keep a journal and record at least three sentences a day about how much you have done. Pausing to reflect on your accomplishments helps you recognize the value of your hard work. And, in turn, boosts productivity in the long run.

Although these practices are not a permanent replacement for a good, productive system, they are functional strategies to turn to when you can’t seem to get things done. Productivity is hard to achieve, but with these simple strategies, you can create a work strategy that works. Moreover, these strategies can minimize burnout and help you best utilize your time. Try them out for yourself!

Why Therapy May Be A Good Thing (Even If You Think You Don’t Need It)

July 15, 2019 Pete and Rachael Herschelman Holistic Health

Holistic health is defined as the health of the entire being. Mental, physical, emotional and spiritual. One way to nourish your holistic health is to partake in therapy. You may hear the word “therapy” and immediately protest, thinking “Why should I talk to a stranger about my life?” You may even feel relatively content, lacking any notable problems you feel are worthy of discussion. But while therapy is excellent for problem solving, it isn’t only for those who feel overwhelmed by life’s issues. Therapy is self-care: consider it a mental and emotional check-up of sorts. And as we all know, routine maintenance is beneficial, even when we don’t notice any problems under the hood. Keep reading for three reasons why therapy may be a good thing, even if you think you don’t need it.

Mental Health

Mental health is vital. We invest in our physical fitness by eating the right things and exercising regularly, but how do we tend to our mental well-being? Because the answer to that question can sometimes feel unclear, many people place mental health on the backburner. Instead, let therapy be the solution. Psychologists are trained professionals who are there to listen. They are a neutral party to vent to, with an added safety net of privacy. Nothing you share with your therapist has to leave the room, providing a rare opportunity to be completely uninhibited. Therapists are also able to suggest solutions and coping techniques to help aid in your overall mental peace. Even if you don’t have negative things to share, you can still use a therapist as a sounding board for your good news, especially if you don’t have many conversationalists in your daily life.

Improved Interpersonal Relationships

Not only can therapy enrich your inner world, it can also help you interpersonally. Whether dealing with coworkers, our teenage children, or close friends, we all experience communication issues and hurt feelings from time to time. Because we don’t want to exacerbate the situation, we tend to leave negative conversations and experiences unfinished and unresolved. Therapy then provides an avenue to talk through those buried emotions without having to confront the other party. Therapists are there to suggest possible solutions, allowing you to get the closure you may need. They can also help us learn how to apologize, see things from a different perspective, and aim to do better in the future. Over time, you’ll develop more effective communication techniques, helping you prevent miscommunication before it has a chance to happen.

Personal Growth

Lastly, therapy can aid in your personal growth. Even if things are well, you have the opportunity to take your strengths and make them greater. Therapists are trained to guide you toward your next steps. Whether in your career, relationships, or self-care, there’s always room to improve. Use your time in therapy to set new goals and map out specific ways to achieve them. Devoting time to improving your future will also help you feel productive and proactive.

Because therapy treats several aspects of overall health, it is a holistic endeavour. Your body and mind are the most valuable things you own, and they are irreplaceable. Do yourself a favor and give therapy a try (even if you don’t think you need it).

Transform Your Life For The Better By Trying These 3 Challenges

May 15, 2019 Pete and Rachael Herschelman Holistic Health

Can you survive a day without browsing your Facebook or Instagram feed? How about giving up soda, sweets or junk food? Are you strong enough to ditch alcohol, cigarettes or other vices you may have for good? If you can boast of strong willpower and commendable self-control, you can probably say yes to the above challenges without flinching. This is because you have the resilience and discipline to give up (or limit) things you like or are accustomed to, especially if doing so will bring amazing benefits. You know all too well that these are the kinds of challenges that may test your limits and bring some discomfort. But nevertheless, they help you become the best version of yourself. If you are ready to challenge yourself and transform your life for the better, you may want to try the following challenges:

No social media challenge.

With all the things you can do on social media today, a day or two of not logging into your accounts is enough to make you feel like you are majorly missing out on something. But if you give yourself the time to ponder about your relationship with social media, being active online can also make you lose time over other more important or worthwhile activities in the offline world. Social media can indeed be very useful, but reducing the time spent on it can be more beneficial for your wellbeing. A research study proves a positive link between social media use and depression. So give yourself a mental break and try a social media detox. You will have more time on your hands and lead a more fulfilling life. In addition to social media, you may also want to take time-off from digital devices such as mobile phones and laptops. This is a good way to remind yourself that even without gadgets, you can still function fairly well.

No negative thoughts.

Despite the popularity of all the wonderful benefits of positive thinking, many people still choose to dwell on pessimism. This is likely because it is not easy to stay optimistic and happy when things don’t go according to plan. But if you wish to turn a bad situation around, dwelling on negative thoughts will not be beneficial. On the contrary, the decision to stay positive will motivate and inspire you to overcome anything. So if you want to do yourself a big favor, try to stick to a mindset that crushes all negative thoughts. According to the law of attraction theory, thinking positively and expecting good things helps us achieve the things we desire most in life. Moreover, positive thoughts have been proven by numerous studies to relieve stress and anxiety. It also increases a person’s likelihood to succeed. Along with thoughts, words also have the power to influence our mood and behavior. So you may want to make this challenge more interesting and beneficial by resolving not to utter any unkind or negative words to yourself or others.

No-meat challenge

People who want to maintain a healthy weight are often advised to go easy on meat and processed foods. So one thing you can do that your body will thank you for is to cut back on meat consumption. This is not a very easy task for those who enjoy meat products. You can, however, make it doable by gradually reducing your meat intake. One thing you can do is adopt a routine that is similar to the meatless Monday method. This simple challenge can go a long way in preventing diseases. A study done by Harvard University revealed that consumption of red meat increases one’s risk of developing diabetes. You may also be glad to know that aside from its health benefits, fasting on meat is also one way to save Mother Earth. Apparently, the livestock industry is one of the major causes of global warming.

It is probably tempting to daydream about a challenge-free life. A world where you can do anything you want or get everything you wish for without encountering any difficulties. However, living without risks or problems to solve would likely be pretty dull and boring. People may dread challenges, but no one can deny that overcoming trials paves the way for learning and improvement. So to keep on growing and improving, continually seek out ways to challenge yourself.

How to Stay Connected When You’re Busy

March 15, 2019 Pete and Rachael Herschelman Family

“You will never find time for anything. If you want time, you must make it.”
-Charles Buxton

Between thriving careers and active families, it’s common to feel that you’re too busy for weekly outings with your spouse. However, if we are honest with ourselves, we know that the level of personal importance (not a lack of time) is the only true differentiating factor between the tasks we pursue and the activities we skip. Once you come to the realization that you do have the time needed to focus on your spouse, you’ll no longer find “business” as a valid reason to neglect the quality time that marriages need to survive. If you’d like to know how to stay connected, even when you’re busy, check out these three steps.

Discuss the Meaning of “Connection”

The most important aspect of maintaining a strong connection with your spouse is communication. By initiating a discussion that covers the specific details of what it means to be “connected,” you can build from a shared understanding of each other’s needs. For some, remaining connected means feeling romantically involved with their partner. For others, a healthy connection only requires a few minutes of daily conversation. There is no right or wrong when it comes to your personal definition of connection, but you do need to know what your spouse desires from you. Many couples agree that holding on to a steady connection requires quality time spent together, but that too can be defined in various ways depending on each person’s perspective. Can time spent together doing household chores be defined as quality time? Or is it only quality time if it is planned, memorable and filled with undivided attention from your partner? Take your spouse’s answers to these questions, compare them with your own and work together to meet halfway.

Be Intentional

Once you’ve determined what staying connected looks like in your marriage, you can create a plan to work quality time into your busy schedule. Both of you should gather any work calendars, appointment schedules or agendas and start by finding an available time that you both consistently have open. Choose that day or time to focus on rekindling the fire. Refer back to the initial conversation you had with your spouse and schedule some time to talk, date or relax together. Remember, there is no incorrect way to go about investing quality time as long as your plan meets the needs of your spouse. Once you’ve chosen a day and time, put it in on your schedule as a long-standing appointment. After writing it in stone, stick to it! Treat your connection time with the same respect you’d give a work meeting. Prioritize your time together. Don’t shirk your responsibility just because your spouse is understanding and canceling doesn’t seem to hold much consequence. Be intentional about devoting time to your relationship and proving to your spouse that in spite of a full schedule, they matter most.

Take Advantage of Spontaneous Opportunities

Lastly, don’t pass on spontaneous fun. Every now and again you and your partner will have a break in your schedule that wasn’t planned but is available. Don’t let the opportunity slip away by filling the time with work or chores – use it to surprise your spouse with a last minute date. You’ve already covered your bases by keeping your scheduled marriage dates, but spontaneity is a vital part of any long term relationship, too. After some time, the expected can become monotonous and the novelty can wear off. Remedy that by using spontaneous opportunities to keep your spouse on their toes.

Investing time into your relationship is always worth the effort. Your spouse is one of the most important people in your life and should be treated as such. When things are well on the home front that positivity can influence other areas of your life. Take these three steps and make the choice to never be too busy to prioritize the success of your marriage.