Coming up with an idea and turning it into reality takes a lot of grit, courage, and leadership. Some say Aries people make the perfect entrepreneurs, as they are true risk-takers and also are natural leaders.
Just like building a successful business, entrepreneurs must be willing to give their time, energy, and passion to romance if they expect it to blossom.
As an entrepreneur, your ability to make time for marriage, and romance will be severely hindered by your desire to tend to your business. Those looking to start a new romance will feel strapped for time and opportunities to meet someone and those who are already married may find it difficult to maintain their happy union.
By no means does this mean that entrepreneurs are doomed to a world of heartbreak and difficulties in love. On the contrary, marriage and romance can be a wonderful gift for those running their own businesses.
If you truly want to make time for romance in your entrepreneurial life all you need to do is follow these 7 steps.
1. Be Honest with Yourself
Single entrepreneurs looking for love and romance should do an honest self-examination about their romantic goals. Sure, being in a relationship sounds nice. But, can you really and truly devote your blood, sweat, and tears to a partner at this point in your life?
You deserve a spouse who understands you and makes you happy. In turn, your partner will deserve someone who can actually devote their time and attention to the relationship.
Here are some serious questions to consider:
- How will being in a relationship affect my business plans?
- Am I willing to take time away from my business to nurture a relationship?
- Am I financially stable enough to start a family?
- What will I do if my business begins to hinder my relationship?
If you aren’t at a point in your life where you can simultaneously share a passion for your business and your romantic partner, you may want to put your romantic pursuits on hold. If you are ready, then keep reading!
2. Make the Time
When others think of being an entrepreneur they often consider someone who sets their own hours and has the luxury to work from home in their PJs if they so choose. Real entrepreneurs know that this isn’t always how the work week shakes out.
The handling firm, Penelope, reports that the average micro-business owner is working 63% longer than the average worker, clocking in at least 52 hours a week.
While this isn’t exactly the 90-hour-workaholic schedule one might imagine, it still leaves very little time for personal pursuits.
If you are set on finding your special someone, you must make the time to date and spend time with that person. It must be a priority, not just a desire.
3. Socialize
If you want to make time for marriage and romance, you have to get out there and meet someone. This means taking a few hours off work to go out and socialize with other human beings. Yes, in real life.
As an entrepreneur, you are already familiar with looking for new and exciting opportunities in your life. When it comes to love, look for opportunities to go out and be social.
Go out socially with friends and family, start talking to the barista at your local coffee shop, go on blind dates. Look for ways to romantically network with people who share your interests.
4. Nurture Your Relationship
Once you are in a relationship, you must nurture it.
Research shows that couples who share hobbies and activities, such as exercising or learning a new language together, are more likely to experience marital satisfaction.
Relationships don’t stay magical forever. You must work on maintaining your emotional and physical connection in order to have a healthy connection with your partner.
5. Set Non-Negotiables
Marriage and romance aren’t easy for regular couples, let alone entrepreneurs! This is why it’s important for entrepreneurs to set non-negotiables in their marriage.
Some examples of non-negotiables may include:
- My spouse and I will not talk about work for longer than X minutes each day.
- I will be home from work / will no longer be checking my phone or tending to work matters after 6pm.
- My spouse and I will communicate regularly about our marriage.
- I will not miss important events like anniversaries, baby-related doctors visits, school plays or other family events.
- My partner and I will eat at least one meal together each day.
Sticking to these non-negotiables will reassure your spouse that you place a higher value on your family life than your business. It also contributes to a feeling of security and trust between married partners.
6. Stress the Importance of Date Night
Studies show that couples who practice a regular date night show improved marital satisfaction rates.
Having a date night each week is an opportunity for couples to communicate about the relationship. Communication is essential for a happy marriage because it airs issues before they become arguments and gives partners a chance to commend each other for their positive qualities.
Spending time together regularly also boosts a couple’s romantic connection and restores the marital friendship.
The same study listed above also points to the novelty of a date night as boosting romance and sexual drive.
Novel dates beyond dinner and a movie can be especially beneficial to keeping the spark alive. Doing such activities as dancing, hiking, playing cards, or having a picnic is shown to improve passion, excitement, and erotic love.
7. Be Patient
Nobody ever said love was easy. All couples experience ups and downs in their romantic resumes, but patience and understanding will go a long way for both partners.
Entrepreneurs should be patient and understanding with their spouse. It isn’t easy for most people to be married to entrepreneurs, so if they get a little frustrated with you, cut them some slack.
Their partners should also show patience, understanding that tending to a growing business is extremely important to their partners. They must accept that sometimes the business will come first.
Entrepreneurs know business but do they know love? Whether already married or currently looking for love, entrepreneurs must be willing to make time for romantic pursuits. Be honest about your expectations, be open to new opportunities, and then nurture the marriage once you have it.
Following these tips will help any entrepreneur become a pro about making time for love.
