Entrepreneurship challenges us in so many ways each day. We put our heads down and chase our dreams, encountering both successes and bumps along the way. When you hit a bump in the road, do you have a support system there to lift you up and put you back on the road to success?

I am so blessed that my husband, Mike, and I have been supporting each other’s professional dreams since day one of our marriage. But in the day-to-day hustle of running a legacy business, it can be easy to forget that the spouses, partners, and other loved ones standing loyally by our side need our support, too!

A supportive partner who is a listening ear, an advisor, a confidant, a shoulder to cry on, and someone to laugh with is truly a gift that deserves our gratitude.

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.

Perhaps you and your partner have frenzied weekend or evening schedules, but can you find time to connect over breakfast or lunch? Can you take your Friday calls from the road to allow for a weekend getaway?

My husband and I love to travel, and as an entrepreneur, I cherish the opportunity to give him the gift of time on our trips together. Of course, I can’t just press “pause” and put my business on hold, but I can enjoy the ability to work remotely when I need 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™” 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 more than 40 years experience in direct sales and managing high-performing teams.

To learn more about Celeste, click here.

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