How to Have a Successful Marriage
The secret of a successful marriage is to take responsibility for your actions. When you blame your spouse for a problem, it leads to negative feelings. Instead, focus on his or her good traits. This will prevent negative feelings. Taking responsibility also means embracing your role in your relationship and being accountable for your actions. By following these tips, you will find that your marriage will become more rewarding and successful than you thought possible.
Communication 
Communicating effectively is an essential part of a marriage, whether you’re in a new relationship or have been married for years. In a relationship, you’re learning about each other’s hopes, fears, values, and dreams. It is important to understand your partner better than you do yourself. And some people express their feelings better than others, so you should know your partner better as well. It’s important to remember that communication is an ongoing process that you should practice every day.
Respect
It is difficult to change one’s behavior if both partners treat each other disrespectfully. Oftentimes, this leads to a standoff. One partner will resist any attempts to make changes until the other does. Oftentimes, a partner will make good faith efforts to change only to be rebuffed. Respectful couples work to change their own behavior, not policing their partner’s behavior.
Patience
When something takes longer than expected, be patient and try not to get angry. Patience is also used when your partner is late or stops getting flowers. You are waiting for the other person to make their comments before reacting or speaking. Being patient also means making compromises. The other person may be frustrated with the delay, but you can still remain calm and wait for them to make their point. Patience is the key to a successful marriage, so try to practice it in your relationship.
Forgiveness
Forgiveness is a key component of a healthy marriage. It helps couples resolve past conflicts and rebuild trust. While it’s difficult to forgive a spouse, it is important to listen to their needs and share them without anger. To have a successful marriage, both partners need to put more into the relationship than they take out. It doesn’t have to be a large deposit; it needs to be consistent. Forgiveness helps a partner let go of past hurts and resentments and can help him or her to flourish in the future.
Independent time
The importance of independent time in a successful marriage cannot be overstated. Often, the need for independent time grows out of an inadvertent nagging behavior. While a controlling spouse may be unintentional, his or her expectations can become unreasonable overtime. To address this problem, it is important to understand that successful marriages include healthy indulgences and communication. However, if a controlling spouse is the problem, it is recommended that you seek a family counselor for further guidance.