3 Tips for Working with Your Spouse and Family – Jackie Bledsoe

 

Having a family business is one of my dreams. I hope to create a business that not only provides for my family and creates a financial foundation for future generations, but also one that is run primarily by our family. To me it marries two things I am very passionate about — family and business.

We’ve had a few businesses in the past, but none of them I would really consider a family business. Most of the time I was the only one working in the business, and the only one who had any desire to. It was only partially fulfilling to me.

Finally the family business I desire

Well, last month my wife and I took a major step to launching something that has all the ingredients to turning into the family business I have always dreamed of. We have been working on the 7 Rings of Marriage, which is something we created last October. The 7 Rings of Marriage project will include a web show, marriage courses, and a book all designed to help couples have a fulfilling marriage.

After months in planning we finally began interviewing couples who will be on our show. I have to admit both of us were a little nervous leading up to the first interview, which probably contributed to us recording the first interview two months after our original goal to do so.

One of our biggest concerns was how we would appear on camera. Would it look and feel unnatural? Would any issues we had that day come off during the interviews? Would our nonverbal language portray something we didn’t want? Of course, none of those things happened. The interviews were great, we felt great, and seemed to actually come off like we actually loved each other. 🙂

Through the experience of those first interviews, there are some insights I pulled out that I think can help you, whether you work with your spouse professionally or not. Here are three tips that will help you work with your spouse and family.

Be yourself

When you get married it becomes less and less about you. However, at the same time the best thing to bring to your marriage is to be you — the you God created you to be. We could have been tempted to try to be somebody we are not while doing the interviews. But, that would not have been authentic, and would eventually have shown. In your marriage, you have unique character traits, skills, and a personality that is your gift to the relationship. Don’t change them. Find them and utilize your uniqueness to be a blessing to your spouse and what you are trying to achieve.

Be their support

Last week my wife and I went to Nashville, TN for a two-day video shoot that I was invited to with Michael Hyatt and his Platform University team. My wife wasn’t involved in any of it, as it was related to my platform and the work I’m doing with my blog.

My wife just came along for the ride. She supported me on day one by staying there (behind the scenes) while we shot videos all afternoon and into the late evening. The next day there was limited space, so she didn’t come. She instead spent some time at Starbucks while I was interviewed, had mastermind sessions, and think tanks from 9am-4pm. She didn’t complain one bit, and later we got to enjoy a great Date Night in Nashville.

Sometimes supporting your spouse means helping them, other times it means just being there, and sometimes it just means waiting on the side. No matter what form it takes, it is important.

Be honest

Since we have gotten deeper into the 7 Rings of Marriage, my wife and I have had many conversations and brainstorm sessions about ideas we are considering. We don’t agree on every single one of them, just like we don’t agree on every single thing within the framework of our marriage. The times that we benefit the most are in those times that we disagree, and we share our honest thoughts. It can be easy to try to avoid any potential conflict that disagreeing can lead to, but neither one of us grow, and when it comes to working together, the project may not grow to its full potential. So, honesty is the best policy. Whether you are working together or just trying to have a fulfilling marriage, make sure you share your true thoughts, true feelings, and expect the same from your spouse.

The journey to create something lasting and fulfilling

It’s amazing how working toward a fulfilling marriage and working to create a lasting family business is such a similar journey. No matter what you are working toward, putting the three points above into practice will get you moving in the right direction.

As a thank you for reading this post, I am giving Adam Smith blog readers a FREE resource to guide you on the path to a fulfilling marriage.  The 7 Rings of Marriage will help you get there.

I created an 7 Rings of Marriage infographic that outlines the 7 Rings and will show you what’s ahead based on where your marriage is today. Click here for this FREE resource.

What is the biggest challenge to working with your spouse or family?