ANCHORED
DREAMS®
FREQUENTLY
ASKED QUESTIONS
See what our test reveals about your marriage.
- 1.
What are the most common mistakes that entrepreneurs make that endanger
their marriage or personal relationships?
Either
not involving their spouse enough, or counting on them too much to
be a sounding board and crisis manager. Not planning for the possibility
that the business won't be as successful as they hope. Letting the
business take over their lives, at the expense of their relationships.
- 2. Is their
anything I can do to help my spouse accept the risks of my business?
Find out
ahead of time what your spouse's bottom line is - the line you should
not cross if you want to keep them sane and supportive. Promise not
to cross that line no matter what. (For example: not losing the house,
keeping medical insurance.) If you reassure them that you respect
their boundaries, they may become more flexible within those boundaries.
- 3. How can
I tell if my spouse and I will be able to work together successfully?
Are you
starting off with a rewarding enjoyable, marriage and good communication
skills? Do you have the same vision for your business and your relationship?
Talk a lot with each other about your concerns and fears - before
you start working together. No concern is too small or petty. Take
it slow, and accept that there will be a learning curve in the process
of forming a business/marriage partnership.
- 4. What
do I do if I no longer feel supportive of my spouse's business?
It can
be very difficult for a "supportive spouse" when they become unsupportive
of their spouse's business over time. Be honest with your spouse and
express your concerns. Negotiate a bottom line - for example: profitability
by a certain date, or the amount of joint money you are willing to
continue to invest. Be gentle in your criticisms, and avoid blaming
and mean-spirited sarcasms if possible. Remember, you and your spouse
are on the same team.
- 5. Where
can I get help if the issues around entrepreneurship and our marriage
are starting to get out of hand?
Consider
marriage counseling, support groups for women, men, or entrepreneurs,
or hiring a business or personal coach who understands the issues
of self-employment and marriage. Talk to other entrepreneurs, or spouses
of entrepreneurs. Pick up a copy of Honey, I Want to Start my Own
Business, A Planning Guide for Couples.
- 6. My spouse
and I have no time for our relationship and we're starting to drift
apart. I'm worried about the toll my business is having on my marriage.
What do you recommend?
Don't
wait until you have spare time to spend quality time with your spouse.
Instead of waiting until there is time, make the time. Even a few
moments of focused attention can make all the difference. When time
and money are scarce, that's when your relationship is the most stressed
and vulnerable. A number of books are available on the market today
to offer simple and inexpensive ways to keep the romance alive in
your marriage. Set the boundaries around work and kids that is necessary
to ensure that you keep your relationship healthy and strong.
- 7. Is it
really possible to work out of the house when you have kids at home?
Yes, if
you have realistic expectations about how much work you can accomplish,
and you are able to either hire babysitting assistance, or your children
are old enough to entertain themselves without direct supervision.
How easily you can control for interruptions, and how well you can
work in a distracting environment will influence how successful your
home office will be.
- 8. Are the
problems we're having the same as other couples you have interviewed?
Yes and
no. Most entrepreneurial couples struggle with the same basic issues,
such as lack of time or money, balancing relationship, family, personal,
and business needs, and handling conflict when it arises with their
spouse. Yet, each couple also struggles with their own unique challenges,
depending on the personalities involved, the nature of their business,
and the kind of marriage and family life they desire. There are no
fixed rules that apply to all couples, and remember, the norm for
any relationship is constant change.
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