Do you think Steph Curry and LeBron James continue to work to improve their games even though they are arguably the best at what they do? No, that isn’t a trick question. Yes, it relates to your marriage.

My newest Lesli-ism is, “no one has to take a Relationship 101 class, and everyone should.” 

I believe this because research shows that the quality of your life is determined by the quality of your relationships. Not the kind of car you drive or the size and location of your home. But the interactions with the people in your life.

And don’t you want that?

So what don’t you know about how to have a healthy, happy marriage? And are you open to learning?

What skills do you need to acquire and/or keep working to perfect?

Better communication? Money or time management? Greater intimacy and connection?

Self-help books are great, but you have to read them and then figure out how to implement what you’re learning on your own. This takes a lot more motivation than most of us have.

Pete Koch, who I quoted above, is an actor and a former professional football player. He also helped start the CrossFit Box I’ve been a member of for almost 13 years. Without his coaching I would have severely injured myself lifting weights incorrectly. I know I tested his patience as he taught me how to do a basic squat clean.

I needed his knowledge and his trained eye to keep me out of the emergency room. 

And the coaches at the Box today build on what I learned from him. Without them to make corrections and offer motivation, I wouldn’t have lasted this long.

There are just as many nuances to creating and maintaining a good relationship as there are to lifting weights properly. Maybe more.

And if you’re building on poor technique, you’re more likely to get hurt.

Knowing what works and what doesn’t is how you become the best. The best partner. The best parent. The best friend.

But you will always be limited by what you don’t know. That includes what you don’t know about marriage.

And the longer you stay on the wrong path, the more time and energy you will need to expend to get on the right one. 

So, yes, getting help for your marriage doesn’t require it to be in the ditch. In fact, it’s the way to make sure it never ends up there in the first place. 

If you want to be a marriage GOAT, then schedule a 5-Star Relationship Consultation today.

around the web this week:

The Power of Deep Listening

Communication is often broken down into two components: speaking and listening. And how you do each of those things will determine not just how well you are understood, but how healthy and happy your relationships will be. Moving from listening to respond to listening to understand is a key relationship skill. This kind of listening, also called Deep Listening, creates connection and real intimacy. Author and speaker Dr. Diana Raab reveals what you can do to get better at it.

Bad Marriage Advice: Only Troubled Marriages Need Help

A former professional athlete–Pete Koch–still has a coach because he still believes in excellence. Getting support for your marriage can take it from meh to great because there are things you don’t know or can’t see.

Join our FREE Facebook Group for men only,

Good Guys, Great Husbands