Will Starting A Business Stress Out Your Family? 10 Questions…

From Steve Marr

 

If you are married, take this marriage health inventory test. On a scale of 1-to-10, measure yourself and then honestly evaluate your score.

(1) How well do I communicate with my spouse? – Do I spend time with my spouse, catching her/him up to date with my day, plans, spending, dreams, etc? (Though one of you might run the business exclusively, the other needs to know what is going on to a certain degree.)

(2) How often do we pray together? – Is praying together important to my spouse, our marriage relationship, our family, and me? Are we open to praying aloud together? Do we pray together as much as I would like?

(3) Are we on the same page? – Does my spouse know what I am doing or wanting to do? Are we aware of what is required to successfully launch this business, financially, emotionally, and mentally? Are we both on the same page in areas that matter most?

(4) Do we share the same financial values and limitations? – Are we in agreement on spending habits, spending limits, and borrowing money? Have we communicated how much financial risk we are willing to take to reach our dreams? Is one of us willing to take greater risks than the other — and is the non-risk-taker at peace with the decision?

(5) Are our boundaries in place? – Have we discussed what is required, especially from the time and money side of things? How much time are we willing to spend each week? How much money are we willing or able to spend overall? Are our safeguards in place?

(6) Are we spending enough time together? – Do I wait for my spouse to suggest time away on a date? Do we spend regularly scheduled time together without distractions? (This counts time away with your children, if you have children. Family time is separate and also important.)

(7) Am I an open book? – Am I defensive when my spouse asks about my business dealings? Does my spouse even have the freedom to ask me things? (Running a business involves transparency, which is to your direct benefit!)

(8) Do we believe in each other? – Does my spouse believe in me and do I believe in my spouse? Regardless of what I do and regardless of who brings home more money, it is vitally important that we believe (verbally express it!) in each other. Do I express my belief in my spouse?

(9) How quick am I to forgive? – Issues will arise. That is natural, but am I quick to seek forgiveness and to extend forgiveness? Do I sleep regularly on the couch because of arguments? If so, am I willing to right the wrongs before going to bed?

(10) Am I a good listener? – How well do I listen to my spouse’s ideas, thoughts, corrections, and recommendations? (Do you “connect� with what is being said, implied, and meant? Listen as you would like to be listened to!)

What was your average score? If your score is low, it might indicate your marriage needs work. So focus your time and energy on strengthening your marriage before starting a new business.