5 Basic Rules To Help You Balance Work And Life

By Heidi Shimberg


I:31:T Most of these rules are written and particularly targeted for the family or couple owned business, but a few of these rules could also relate to people who are in a far 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 Apart. You work togetheryou eat dinner togetheryou sleep together. You need to make "Apart" time. Even though you might both enjoy exercising - separate to do it. You run in one direction and tell him to run the opposite way; you can meet back at the middle and drive back to the office together. Don't have lunch with your business partner everyday. Have lunch with a friend or a brother or sister (if you don't work with them) at least once a week. Or eat alone and catch up on some reading.

3. Have Sex. Don't plan it just like you schedule a conference 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 pleasant and more worthwhile if you have had sex. Research has shown that sex helps with everything from reducing stress to building your resistance.

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

5. Know the Strengths and Weaknesses. Most successful working couples have distinct strengths and weaknesses. Hopefully one of you is the planner and the other is the visionary. Acknowledge that regularly and promote 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 may be discussed to guide working couples, but we believed these can be a good basic summary that can apply to any specific couple running any business.

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

- Bo Bennet




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