subject: 7 Ways to Build Trust in a Relationship [print this page] 7 Ways to Build Trust in a Relationship 7 Ways to Build Trust in a Relationship
Trust takes a long time to build but only a moment to break. Do you know the 7 ways to build trust in a relationship? Many times the things we think of first are not what really makes a relationship work. Some think variety keeps things spicy. Not true. A degree of predictability in a relationship is better than variety. Following are seven methods that are guaranteed to improve your connection with your partner and thereby improve the level of trust in a relationship.
Be predictable. The common belief is that variety will keep the relationship popping and the romance alive. Trying s new restaurant or buying a surprise gift might be nice, but most people need to know that their relationship is based on consistency. Trust in a relationship is heavily based on being reliable everyday.
Next, you actions should always match your words. Many people don't hear what you say with your mouth, but what you say with your body. Your partner doesn't hear your voice as much as they listen to your body language and the tone of your voice. When your words match your actions, trust is built in a relationship.
Thirdly, you must fundamentally believe that your partner is competent. This will help you build up the trust you need in your relationship. The truth is never destructive when it's lovingly communicated. If you don't believe in the competence of your partner in some areas or all areas, the trust within your relationship is violated.
You don't want to keep secrets. They destroy trust in relationships. Open honesty is best. If you assume that everything you know will ultimately come out, it'll be easier to just tell the truth up front. Past secrets call for a great deal of energy, mental and physical, as you have to remember what you said and your own body negatively responds to your own dishonesty. This energy could be better utilized in the building of your relationship.
The fifth way to build trust is by letting your partner know what you are in need of. Don't make him or her play the guessing game in this area. Just tell them. You can be self-centered. Just don't be selfish. Not sharing your needs with your partner could cause you to go overboard in seeking to obtain them while smothering your partner in the process. Many times we don't want to have needs, but we do, like it or not.
Sixth, you must learn to say no and mean it. Your partner voicing his or her need is a good thing. But that doesn't mean you are to say yes to everything. If you never say no, your partner can't respect you. Being true to yourself will build trust in a relationship.
Lastly, continue to grow. A flower can only be planted if the dirt is breached and dug into. There is dirt in every relationship. Digging into this dirt can sometimes be painful. But this pain prepares the soil of the relationship for future growth. Don't let crisis, turmoil, or questions scare you. These are great fertilizer to grow and change your relationship. Remember to be honest.
Deciding to work on trust in a relationship is basically signing up for some pain. It's unavoidable, but necessary. As you continue working through this pain, you will personally become stronger, as well as strengthen your relationship.
When a partner has cheated on you, rebuilding your trust in that individual requires a process that includes accountability and transparency. Recovering from a breach of trust can be tricky. I've found a system that walks you through in step-by-step. Check it out right here and start the process of Building Trust In Your Relationship.
