Six Weeks to Admire your Mate
A Six-Week Course in Fondness and Admiration
For each day below there is a positive statement or thought followed by a task.
Week 1
Monday
Thought: I am genuinely value for my partner
Task: List one characteristic you find appealing or lovable
Tuesday:
Thought: I can easily speak of the good times in our marriage
Task: Pick one good time and write a sentence about it
Wednesday
Thought: I can easily remember a romantic, special times in our relationship
Task: Pick one such time and mention it to your spouse
Thursday
Thought: I am physically attracted to my partner
Task: Think of one physical attribute you like
Friday
Thought: My partner has specific qualities that make me proud
Task: Write down one characteristic that makes you proud.
Week 2
Monday
Thought: I feel a genuine sense of “us” in our relationship
Task: Think of one thing that you both have in common
Tuesday
Thought: We have the same general beliefs and values
Task: Describe one belief you share
Wednesday
Thought: We have common goals
Task: List one such goal you both share
Thursday
Thought: My partner is my best friend
Task: What secret about you does your spouse know?
Friday
Thought: I get lots of help from our relationship
Task: Think of a time when your spouse was very supportive of you
Week 3
Monday
Thought: My spouse helps me to reduce stress
Task: List one time when your spouse helped you manage stress
Tuesday
Thought: I can easily recall the first time we met
Task: Write a sentence describing what you remember
Wednesday
Thought: I remember many details about deciding to get married.
Task: Write a sentence describing what you remember
Thursday
Thought: I can recall our engagement
Task: Write a sentence about what you remember
Friday
Thought: We divide up tasks in a fair way
Task: Describe one way you do this on a regular basis.
Week 4
Monday
Thought: My life is better when we are together
Task: Describe one thing that you both planned together.
Tuesday
Thought: My spouse is valuable to my life
Task: List two things that you couldn’t do without your spouse
Wednesday
Thought: I am proud of my future spouse
Task: Recall a specific time you felt this pride
Thursday
Thought: I don’t like things about my partner, but I can live with them
Task What is one of these minor faults you have adapted to?
Friday
Thought: This relationship is a lot better than most I have seen.
Task: Think of a marriage you know that struggling and pray for them.
Week 5
Monday
Thought: There is a lot of healthy living in my relationship
Task: Think of a special trip you took together
Tuesday
Thought: My partner is an interesting person
Task: Plan something to ask your partner about that interests the both of you
Wednesday
Thought: We respond well to each other
Task: Write a letter to your partner
Thursday
Thought: If I had to do it all over again I would still marry the same person
Task: Plan an engagement anniversary outing
Friday
Thought: My spouse does things that go unnoticed
Task: Thank your spouse for the ways they help you or your family
Week 6
Monday
Thought: Our time together is usually quite satisfying
Task: Plan a romantic evening together
Tuesday
Thought: We have come a long way together
Task: Think of all you have accomplished as a team
Wednesday
Thought: I think we can weather any storm together
Task: Reminisce about having made it thought a hard time
Thursday
Thought: We enjoy each other’s sense of humor
Task: Watch a funny movie together
Friday
Thought: My partner is very beautiful/handsome
Task: Get dressed up for a nice evening out.
Adapted from The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work by John Gottman