So many people in our country play roles that are absolutely fundamental, yet tragically undervalued. We’ve seen that over the past year and a half with healthcare workers, grocery store employees, full-time moms and dads, and teachers.

Too often, the spouses and partners of entrepreneurs are similarly undervalued. They don’t get the love and appreciation they deserve.

Many of the entrepreneurs I’ve met over the years are busy chasing their dreams. Sometimes, despite their best intentions, they forget to see who is standing by their side, supporting them each step of the way.

If you are fortunate to have a supportive partner who is a listening ear, an advisor, a confidant, a shoulder to cry on, and someone to laugh with, then you are truly blessed.

Ask yourself: Am I a supportive partner in return?

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not trying to criticize you here. I understand that for busy entrepreneurs trying to build a business, it is SO easy to get caught up with the myriad responsibilities on your plate.

But when you start putting business before your spouse and loved ones, your relationships will suffer and your support system will crumble. That’s not good for your personal life, and it certainly jeopardizes your ability to build a profitable legacy business.

Give The Gift of Time.

One of the greatest benefits of entrepreneurship is that you are the master of your schedule. Even if your schedule seems hectic, don’t lose sight of the fact that you are in the driver’s seat. You decide when, where, how long, and with whom you work. Set aside time in your schedule to spend with your spouse or partner.

The past two weeks, I had the opportunity to take advantage of my mobility as an entrepreneur. My husband Mike and I drove out west to explore Yellowstone National Park and spend some time in that beautiful part of our country. It was a wonderful adventure and a blessing to spend that time together.

Of course, I couldn’t just press “pause” and put my business on hold. But as an entrepreneur, I had the ability to work remotely when I needed to, and shift my schedule around where possible.

Support Their Dreams.

When my husband Mike and I got married, we made a commitment to honor and support one another. Part of honoring your spouse – and your relationship – is supporting their dreams. Make sure that you show an interest in their goals, whether they are entrepreneurs or they work a traditional 9 to 5 job.

When you spend time together, make sure you aren’t monopolizing the conversation. Yes, you can talk about your day and the challenges you face in your business, but make sure to express equal interest in what’s going on in their life, personally and professionally.

Clock Out.

Carving out quality time with your spouse means that you both have to take off your business hats, parenting hats, and any other responsibilities you wear. You can’t enjoy each other if you aren’t present, and you can’t be present unless you shift gears.

Before spending time with your partner, take a minute to clear away the mental clutter of the day and refocus on what’s right in front of you.

Most importantly, you can’t spend quality time together with your spouse, partner, or anyone else unless you unplug from technology. That means closing your laptop and shutting off your phone.

Your attention is priceless. It shows the person you’re speaking with that you care and they matter. If you’re constantly checking your emails, voicemails, and social media messages, you’re sending a message loud and clear that they aren’t as important.

Family Matters.

The lessons I’ve described above don’t only apply to romantic relationships. You need to be present and give quality time to all those in your life who matter – children, parents, grandparents, and dear friends.

When you make a conscientious effort to nurture your relationships, they blossom. Strong personal relationships offer the solid foundation necessary to overcome obstacles and stay committed to growing your business.

At Celeste Giordano Coaching, the entrepreneurs I work with learn the fundamental importance of creating work-life balance. Your business success is accelerated when you have the support of your loved ones. Creating a support system means investing undistracted quality time into your personal relationships.

It might feel like you need your personal life to take a back seat temporarily while you get your business to the next level, but this is an illusion. The happiest entrepreneurs understand that balance is integral to building a legacy business and living a life you love.

Contact me today to explore what practical action steps you can take to “double plus” your income without sacrificing your personal life and the relationships that matter most.

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Celeste Giordano’s mission is to help business owners develop the skills, knowledge and attitude necessary to “DoublePlus^TM” their income and become effective and inspirational leaders in their fields. Whether it’s taking your successful business to the next level or starting a new venture, she will teach you the exact skills and strategies you need to enroll more quality prospects, build a rock-solid team, and break through obstacles to achieve real profit and lasting success. Celeste is a professional business growth specialist, a master sales strategist, and dynamic speaker with 40 years experience in direct sales and managing high-performing teams.

To learn more about Celeste, click here.

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At Celeste Giordano Coaching, I work with each client to implement the strategies they’ve been missing that will enable them to break through barriers preventing them from the success they know they are capable of. Contact me today to find your future clients who just don’t know what they’re missing.