Working Together as a Couple Without Sacrificing Your Marriage or Work
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Whether you’re a couple of entrepreneurs or one of the lucky few who met their partner on-the-job, it’s important to be mindful of how your work can impact your relationship and vice versa. With the pandemic still keeping many of us glued to our home offices, navigating the balance between work and life can be especially stressful. In some ways those stressors are made worse by having to share your workspace with your partner, but with a little mindfulness, patience, and respect, couples can work together harmoniously without it affecting their relationship.
It’s become increasingly common for couples to go into business together. It makes sense, right? You love your partner, you trust them, and you’re familiar with most facets of their life that would normally influence their work. Not to mention, your goals, habits and passion may already be in sync. It can be rewarding having your life partner as a business partner, allowing you to spend more time together, learn from each other, and grow together as professionals. However, married couples who work together can also face significant challenges that other couples might not. Sometimes, it takes a trained marriage counselor to help navigate these issues, but there are a few things you can try on your own to become more successful at entwining your relationship and career.
Prioritize your relationship - By putting yourselves and your romantic relationship before your career and work, you begin to strengthen the trust and foundation that makes working together so effective. Learn the difference between talking to your partner as a colleague versus talking to them as your spouse, and strive to meet them where they are. Letting work get in the way of your relationship can quickly alienate your partner and even put your work in jeopardy.
Establish boundaries - Try to create intentional time and space for both work and your relationship. During the work day, try to keep conversations limited to primarily work-related topics, while in your off time, you should avoid talking about work. Having clear separation between work and life is essential, even when your partner may be inclined to work different hours than you.
Get into a routine - Build a schedule that accommodates your career and your relationship. From the moment you wake up until the time you go to sleep, work with your partner to build a routine that allows you both to accomplish the day’s tasks while also making time to be together. You should also think about ways you can include alone time and self care into your routine, even if it’s just a few days per week.
Keep it professional - Depending on the nature of your work, you may or may not be working with customers face-to-face, and it can be vital to your career that you keep communication and activity professional in the workplace, especially if you work very closely with your partner. Be aware of how your actions and words may be perceived by onlookers in the workplace, whether they are customers or colleagues.
Communicate - Talk to your partner about your shared work/life balance. What is working well and what might need changes. There may be trial and error involved in finding the right routine, schedule, or habits. But the more you and your partner discuss these shared aspects of your life, the more in-tune and happier you’ll be. Don’t shy away from hard conversations, especially as they pertain to your own needs.
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