I have a signature piece of marriage advice that I give when my friends get married. "Remember that you are in love. Remember that you are in love and act like it." Too often people get married and then stop acting like they are in love. They stop holding doors, flirting, staring lovingly, dating, and sometimes even being nice to each other. No wonder people fall out of love when they stopped acting like they were in love a long time ago. I am not sharing this for the marriage advice though, but rather because this is also great advice when you own your own business.
For years maybe, this business was a dream of yours. You thought about it fondly, doodled about it, and daydreamed. You were in love with this idea. Then you started the business and the thrill of startup was a honeymoon phase. How exhilarating to be your own boss…….but eventually, the excitement can turn to frustration. You can start to think and even speak about your business in a way that is unkind. You lose faith in your dream. You lose faith in the ability of your business to provide for you. You second guess your own skill and worth. You waiver in your commitment.
Looking at your relationship with your business as a marriage is a powerful paradigm for understanding the work, sacrifice, give and take, joy, and long-term future that you have with your business. So just like any young couple, I give you this advice. Remember that you love your business. Remember that you chose it and you have to keep choosing it. Remember that you enjoy and love and are fulfilled by your work. Talk lovingly about this business. Have patience with your business. Show up for your business when it is having a rough day.
Remember that you love your business.