Soul mate. Life Partner. Husband. Boyfriend. Best Friend. Business partner?
You and your mate may be a lot of things to each other, but when you have to work together, it can add another stress to the relationship. On the other hand, if you’re good together, you’re good together. You may just set the world on fire when your minds come together, right?
When it’s time to collaborate on real work together, whether it’s home improvement or a new business venture, it’s important to remember these tips:
1. Agree on your goal. When you and your partner are working to achieve a common vision you both believe and buy in to, your likelihood of success is much greater. If the two of you are united in achieving a common purpose it will only create a greater bond in your relationship. However, if you’re only working together so your partner will stop complaining, you will burn out on the project and likely take it out on your partner.
2. Separate work from romance. Ok, if I worked with my partner it would be impossible not to steal a kiss or a noon rendesvous just because we could BUT, it is imperative that work mode does not bleed in to your romantic life. Learn to separate your frustrations related to work and your frustrations related to your relationship. Communicate clearly regarding whether you are upset about work or love.
3. Recognize your work modes. When I’m focused on work, I can be a totally different person. I stay focused on the task at hand and can’t relax until it’s finished. That is my work mode. Recognize that your partner may have a work mode too. Allow them space to work and be understanding that each of you are a multi-faceted human being. You can each be focused and working or giddy and goofing off.
If the two of you work well together and can balance being business partners and soul mates, you can accomplish whatever needs done in your lives. Following these suggestions will help increase the odds of emerging more in love rather than at each other’s throats.
I think as a couple you if you know how to have disagreements and work through them, that this is the basics of owning a business. Hard to get through an argument with someone you have never argued with before without hurting or getting hurt.