As I’m moving my business from one state to another and shifting it to being more of a coaching practice, the significance of being an entrepreneur has been coming up a great deal.
This is also true because I am so clear about the impact that my work has on people and their relationships, inspired by many but particularly Dr. Sue Johnson, and I know I need to get it out to the masses in a bigger way.
This year I have been surrounding myself with female entrepreneurs and have been working with a coach to step up my game in my business. In doing so, I have recognized an all too common problem in these women’s lives: Relationship challenges that come alongside up-leveling in their businesses.
The more I’ve looked into this issue, the more I’ve noticed that entrepreneurship can be especially hazardous to relationships. It’s said that entrepreneurs have a higher divorce rate than the rest of the population, which isn’t surprising, but is unsettling at the same time.
Everyone needs help with relationships.
We’ve got relationships all wrong as a culture.
Most people don’t know how to prioritize them or take care of them.
Only in recent years is research demonstrating how significant they actually are.
Healthy relationships change how our brains respond to fear and threat. They have a host of other amazing effects on our lives as well.
But entrepreneurs are especially at risk of being in less than ideal relationships, since they are in a relationship with their businesses, typically born out of love, that has the potential to swallow them whole.
If you are an entrepreneur:
Think about your definition of success. It might have something to do with meeting your quarterly goals in terms of number of people served or breaking through to the next level of income.
Broaden that definition to include success in your relationship.
Being successful in your relationship is a goal that is often swept under the rug, but it will serve you in ways that your business never will.
I have focused on working with entrepreneurs because I love them.
I love all things entrepreneurship, and if you are an entrepreneur, I probably love you too.
And I support you as you dive head first into your business and spend so much energy and love taking care of it and growing it.
But I also know intellectually and emotionally the significance of a healthy relationship, something that we have been taught to deny or at times not even believe is possible.
New level, new devil
They say that starting a business is one of the best paths of personal growth out there, but as you probably know, with new levels can come new devils.
As your business takes you great places, make sure to stay connected and close to your partner so that you can enjoy the journey with your #1 by your side.
By all means, don’t let your relationship hold your business back, but make sure that your business is not holding your relationship back either.
Cheers to your best relationship,
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