Building Trust: The Cornerstone of Strong Relationships
Introduction
As it is true with all societal and interpersonal connections, trust is the foundation of any healthy relationship and developing this trust is a process. As most dedicate much time to finding the ways and means of how to regain the lost trust, much more power should be in building relationships right from the scratch. We have to remind ourselves that trust is not built through big, sweeping gestures; it’s created by small steps. Now, let us dive more into detail into four helpful approaches to build trust and obtain close relationships.
Be True to Your Word
As we know, guts and honor do exist in relationships, so it is always important to live up to what one says. In particular if you have assured your partner that you will be faithful on a certain day you must do so. It would be easier to tell them the things that you believe they wish to hear but in the long run, failed promises affect trust. If there are alterations in the plan you have set, do not assume that the latter knows, update them. Stability in your communication ensures your partner feels they can depend on you.
Communicate Clearly and Often
Effective communication is the reason for living with the other party. For any partnership to succeed, it is impossible for the partners to understand each other’s thoughts and intentions since they are unknown. Just as it is useful in proposing a movie or talking about plans ahead of time, being clear eliminates assumptions. It also helps both form a feeling of togetherness by informing one another about your feelings and goals on a regular basis.
Own Your Mistakes
It is very unimportant that no one among us is perfect and mistakes are always allowed. However, it is the measure with which you manage these mistakes that determine its impact. Admitting to your mistakes, saying sorry, and searching for ways to correct your mistakes empowers and strengthens the forgiveness relationship. As a matter of fact, when you make mistakes, it also helps your partner understand that you are committed enough to learn from your mistake.
Embrace Honesty, Always
Lack of trust is very damaging and as such even though little lies may not seem like a big deal they can eventually erode trust. I always maintain that honesty no matter how stiff sometimes is the correct thing to do. For example, when answering a question, instead of saying ‘I can do this,’ you ought to say ‘I don’t know,’ even though the latter may make you seem incompetent. Even such words as, ‘I want some time to consider,’ can effectively prevent you from lying, while still keeping you from making hasty decisions. Honesty creates an environment for comfort as no one feels threatened by the other.
The Bottom Line
Quite rightly, trust is the foundation of any effective relational model based on truthfulness, mutual communication, acceptance of responsibilities. They turn words into deeds, accept a mistake, and promote trust – that is how couples should ensure the security of the bond. The message about trust, therefore, is not that it is all or nothing, that it is about being perfect, but that it is about trying in every little way to show that one can be trusted, and that one respects other people’s trust. Only when both individuals cherish honesty, patience and desire to get to know each other better, can a strong and loving, healthy and happy bond be built.
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