Entrepreneurs are highly motivated individuals. Typically, work becomes a big part of their lives. In many relationships, there is only room for one workaholic, but there are a few power couples that are able to strike a balance between work and life despite an overdose of ambition. Career success doesn’t always have to come at the expense of relationship success. Although maintaining a healthy and hearty relationship can be a challenge for partners with successful careers, it is far from impossible. It is crucial to have trust, commitment, and open lines of communication in any relationship.
Tips on Staying Together
- Time – They make spending time together a priority. Shared experiences are key. Creating rituals can help. It ensures spouses reserve time for one another and family. Busy partners have to be more careful with their time to make sure they stay connected and do things together that strengthen their relationship. Committing to spending time together doing things outside of the ego help couples to focus on something other than outside factors to feel good.
- Communication – Keeping open lines of communication is especially important for busy individuals. It is easy to sweep issues and concerns under the rug until they become too large to handle. Communicating openly and honestly allows couples to address differences and misunderstandings early. Couples that are honest with one another have realistic expectations. They don’t just talk either. They also listen, empathize, and provide support.
Successful business couples also constantly share the fondness and admiration they have for one another. These ambitious couples also take the time to actually talk to each. Keeping in touch throughout the day via text is nice, but a lot can be misinterpreted when communication is limited to texting. Expressing appreciation for a spouse on serious matters should always be done in person or by phone. Actually talking allows your significant other to see your facial expressions or hear the sincerity in your voice.
- Agreement – Successful busy couples also have an understanding and agreement on important issues from the start. It helps if each member of a power couple thrives in their own sphere. This way they are able to depend on each other’s talents and gain a deeper respect for each other.
Some things that are important to discuss and agree upon early on are romantic and sexual needs, family boundaries, and money. Hash out what you and your partner are comfortable with so you are less likely to have to deal with issues of cheating. You might agree that even social dates alone with the opposite sex are not allowed. You might agree to certain aspects of an open relationship. The important thing is to be honest and set standards and boundaries of what is and what is not acceptable early.
- Commitment – Overall, they are committed one another. When you are part of a highly driven and busy couple, it is vital that your relationship with one another is a priority. Your commitment to one another should trump anything or anyone else.
Successful Entrepreneurial Couples
- Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan – When Zuckerberg and Chan started dating, Zuckerberg drew up a relationship agreement where he agreed to take her on a date once a week and spend at least 100 minutes of intentional alone time together outside of the office and home life.
- Francois-Henri Pinault and Salma Hayek – Pinault knows the talents his wife possesses and respects those talents. He was adamant about her returning to work after having children. He explained to her that he didn’t want to be deprived of her work or deprive the world of all the things she had yet to accomplish. He supported her and pushed her to be her best.
- Chris Sacca and Crystal English Sacca – Chris and Crystal don’t just have successful separate careers, Crystal is also a partner of Lowercase Capital, her husband’s venture capital firm. Chris also focuses on being present as a dad. This strengthens his relationship with his children and allows Chris Sacca wife to shine as a successful businesswoman.
- Bill Gates and Melinda Gates – The Gateses like to spend time together doing good. They support initiatives in education, world health and population, and giving to the community through the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
- Neil Blumenthal and Rachel Blumenthal – This power couple tries to capitalize on time spent together whenever they can. When they travel, they prefer road trips to flying because it allows them the time and opportunity to talk.
Relationships are hard whether the individuals comprising them are ambitious or not. Entrepreneurial couples need to make an extra effort to spend time together, communicate wants and desires, and set expectations. Some couples go as far as to draft love contracts that cover sexual expectations and infidelity. This may seem excessive but it shows a commitment to understanding each other’s needs and taking the time to agree upon important issues. Power couples need to be intentional about their time spent with one another and family and to keep the focus on maintaining a strong relationship that will stand the test of time.
