One of the most commonĀ things I see on my Facebook feed is the beginning and ending of relationships. Ā When most people first enter into a relationship, they’re completely smitten with theirĀ significant other. They go on dates, they get flowers delivered to them, they take couples selfies… you know, all that cute stuff. Ā Then, a fewĀ months later, the relationshipĀ fizzles out and things come to an end. Why?
I believe that most of the reasons why romantic relationships fail are the same reasons that most businesses fail.
PeopleĀ get excited during the first couple months of the launch, and then the spark dies down when the real work sets in. In order to keep any important relationship going (platonic, romantic or professional) there has to be a continuous effort. If you wrote love notes to your boyfriend at the beginning of your relationship, it’s important to keep writing them years later. Ā If you showed up to work at 8:55 a.m. on the first day, you should still be coming in at 8:55 a.m. a year down the road.
In order to be successful in anything, you must remain committed and consistent.
Here are seven signs your business is bae* and yourĀ relationshipĀ together will succeed.Ā
1. You spend time together.
Building a successful business requires a lot of work.Ā I know, I know — familyĀ and jobs can seem to “get in the way,” but come on!Ā You can’t spend 10 hours a week on a relationship andĀ expect it to grow. Ā You have to make your business a priority. Spend time with it. Get to know it.Ā It’s the most obvious and basic step of keeping your business alive.
2. You learn to listen.
Trust me when I say that your business speaks to you. Ā Whether it’s low conversion rates or a slow income, your business will tell you what’s working and what’s not. Ā Hear what it’s saying and make adjustments accordingly.
3. You bounce back quickly.
Like any serious relationship, you’re going to hit bumpy patches withĀ your business. Ā It’s okay. Ā The businesses that are most successful understand that you have to (and will!) bounce back from mini failures and keep going. Learn and grow from what didn’t work, and continueĀ tweaking until you find something that does.
4. You don’t compare.
One of the worst things you can do is compare your business to another business. Ā It’s one thing to be inspired by how another business handles things, but it’s another to be down on yourself because of how another business is perceived. Ā YourĀ success willĀ never be based on how another business isĀ doing. Ā Keep the focus on you and your growth.
5. You don’t let the past get in the way.
I know you’ve gone through someĀ crazy experiences and potentially failedĀ business ideas, but don’t be too hard on yourself. Appreciate your past experiences,Ā learnĀ from them, and thenĀ live confidently in the present. You can’t move forward if you’re always worrying about things that happened in the past.
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6. You plan your future together.
Most of the stuff that matters in relationships won’t happen unless it’s on the calendar. When will you order your business cards? When does the next blog post go out? What’s the next conference you’re attending? Ā Making time every month to set goals means you haveĀ aĀ meaningful future for you and your business.
7. You give it gifts.
Take advantages of opportunities to give your business material tokens of your love. Just the right book at the bookstore to help with professional development or a new mousepad to boost creativity in your office space is a little reminder that your business means a lot to you and you’re in this to succeed.
I promise that if you do nice things for your business, it will do nice things for you. Ā If you feel like your business is on theĀ brink, consider consulting (you know, like couples therapy?) to bring the spark back into your relationship.
So tell me, whatĀ do you love about your business?
And for the record….
*Bae =/= Bacon and Eggs
*Bae = Boo, babe, baby, before anything else, or whatever you want it to mean. š
