So You Married An Entrepreneur

Why, yes you did.

You married an entrepreneur.

You married an unending source of ideas and passion…the eternal optimist.

You may not have known it at the time, but you agreed to travel down an ever-changing path of life.

In fact, you’re probably traveling down multiple paths at once.

You married a person who considers sleep as optional.

How about money? Oh yeah, that thing that entrepreneurs periodically think about.

Yes, there will be countless moments when your spouse appears unfocused, spread too thin, and/or distracted by impossible dreams. (In most cases, you’re probably right!)

You will try to reason with them, challenge them, and even periodically guilt them into taking a more stable route in life, but you know how that goes…

You will find yourself rolling your eyes from time to time at their next “new big opportunity” and their inevitable “I’m so close” mantra.

Don’t give up.

Don’t forget what attracted you to your spouse. I’m sure that it had something to do with the life-giving energy and passion you saw in them.

Don’t forget that there are a small minority people in our world that can wake up each morning looking forward to engaging their vocation. Your spouse is one of them.

Don’t forget that you are the most treasured individual in their life. They may appear too busy or distant at times, but know that deep inside they often do think about you and are motivated by their love for you.

Don’t forget that they need you to believe in them, encourage them, and speak the truth in love. Small acts of care and support can make a world of difference for them.

Life’s an adventure (whether or not you want it to be).

Plus, what fun would it be if you were married to a person who just knew exactly what to do all of the time?

Stability is overrated and in my opinion, a mirage.

Embrace your spouse and enjoy the journey.

Celebrate the ideas that are implemented and learn from those that don’t.

Communicate often and honestly without becoming pessimistic.

Refuse to give up the thought that we truly can live out our passions.

So, you married an entrepreneur? Good.

Charles Lee

P.S. If you’re an entrepreneur reading this, make sure you work extra hard on developing practical strategies, processes for implementation, and a viable network to actualize your ideas. Step up your game if you’re expecting your spouse to venture with you. Talk is cheap. Let’s get stuff done.

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charleslee@churchleaders.com'
Charles is the CEO & Chief Idea-Maker at Ideation, a brand innovation company that specializes in helping businesses & organizations build remarkable brands via innovative business design, organizational change architecture, brand integration, design, web, and marketing services. He is also the author of Good Idea. Now What?: How to Move Ideas to Execution, a practical book designed to help people move ideas to implementation. Charles is regularly invited to speak to leading companies and organizations on topics such as creativity, innovation, idea-making, and branding. Executive leaders from brands including Wells Fargo, Toyota, The White House, Catalyst, William Morris Endeavor, mun2, Council of Urban Professionals, Chick-fil-A, and many others have benefited from having Charles present at their key events.