5 Rules To Help You Balance Work And Life

By Heidi Shimberg


I:31:T These rules are written and specifically targeted for the family or couple owned business, but some of these rules could also apply to people who are in a more traditional J-O-B too.

1. No Business Talk at the Dinner Table. It is difficult for a business owner to ever turn off thinking of their business. You see a duck crossing the road and it reminds you that you forgot to send your customer, Mr. Waddle, his replacement part for his XYZ. And even if everyone in your family (this could be you and your spouse or include every member of your family) works in the business, dinnertime should be to discuss non-business topics, to take a break. And if only two of you work in the business and there are other people at the dinner table, they will greatly appreciate knowing that you want to talk about what is happening in THEIR life, outside of the business.

2. Make Time Away. You work togetheryou eat dinner togetheryou sleep together. You need to get "Apart" time. Although you may both enjoy exercising - separate to do it. You run in one course and tell him to run the opposite way; you could meet back at the midst and drive back to the office together. Don't have meal with your business partner everyday. Have meal with someone or a brother or sister (if you don't work with them) at least one time weekly. Or perhaps eat by yourself and catch up on some reading.

3. Have Sex. Don't plan it just like you schedule a meeting with the accountant. But don't just forget about it. The bedroom is off limits to business talk - the term "Pillow Talk" would not relate to a couple that actually works together. The days are more enjoyable and more productive if you have had sex. Research has shown that sex helps with everything from reducing stress to building your immunity.

4. Be Polite. If you worked with people whom you are not related to and they did or said something really stupid, you would not tell them "That was really stupid," you would re-phrase it so as not to offend them. The same rule of politeness applies when working with your spouse and family. Hopefully, you will both end up laughing about it together, rather than her saying, "What did you just say to me?!?!?!"

5. Know the Strong points and Weak spots. The majority of effective working couples have unique strengths and weaknesses. Hopefully one of you is the planner and the other is the visionary. Acknowledge that regularly and also encourage the strengths of your partner to others when you are together. This will be a constant reminder that each you bring very important talents to the success of your business.

There are more tips and advice that can be shared to help working couples, but we thought these would be a good basic overview that can apply to any couple running any business.

Good Quote for today: "Success is not what you have, but who you are."

- Bo Bennet




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