- Are you struggling to work side by side with your spouse?
- Do you struggle with knowing what each other should be doing?
- Do you get frustrated that they aren’t doing what you THINK they should be doing?
I get it! It’s a HUGE struggle to have partners working side by side for the same business and focus. In the profession I am in, we work as direct marketers for Team Beachbody. It wasn’t always this way.
It would have been picture perfect on the day I decided to join as a Beachbody Coach that my husband would say, “AWESOME! I’ll do it too with you!” Such not the case. I actually got a hand waiving me to go forward with it and that he wanted nothing to do with it. He actually enjoyed his life of getting up at 5am, driving 1 hour to work, working all day, then driving 1 hour home, working out, getting the kids fed and ready for bed, then watching tv until 10pm, until he went to bed. That was exactly his schedule. Everyday.
He viewed this as just another one of my “fitness things.” He fully supported me as he knew how much I loved fitness, but didn’t want to get involved in the business.
I could tell this story now, but that’s not why I’m posting this. Obviously, it came to a point where he finally saw that this was legit, that this was real, and that he could impact the family growth more if he jumped on board.
Many partners try to force each other into specific roles and it only causes fights, frustration, and even bitterness. We had our growing pains initially back in April 2011 when he finally jumped on board and quit his CIO and Vice President career. He had to deal not only with figuring out his new role, but also handling not being the “bread winner” for the family anymore. Again, that’s another story to talk about.
Jon Acuff said it best in his book START, in relationships, there’s always a HOW person and a WOW person.
That’s how we have best succeeded. Wrapping our arms around those 2 words. He excels as the CFO, COO, CIO, and probably many more C’s. He runs the household as well. Organization of all kids activities, services, projects, bills and more. This is how he also functions in the business. All the logistics.
I get asked many times from people on my team in the business about details, facts, reservations, etc. I honestly don’t know. I don’t pay attention to what I don’t need to pay attention to.
I’m the WOW person.
Have always been the creative person. The creative vision, the personality, the grooming, the mentor, the inspirer, the supporter, and more.
I have an idea, I tell him about it. He does all the footwork to make it happen. WHAT happens and the details of creativity come from me. He makes it happen.
So, when you are looking to work with your partner, own your HOW or WOW. Don’t try to force them into a role they don’t like. Things will develop and migrate as you progress. Heck, they did here. Remember I said earlier he wanted nothing to do with this fitness thing?