Are You Seriously Supportive of Your Entrepreneurial Spouse?

This article is intended for probably your significant other or spouse to read...I felt compelled to write it talking to them about your needs since my marriage went south due to the lack of much of this. If you currently don't have one, give it to a family member or friend and/or save for Mr. Right later! Enjoy and hope it helps!

Did you know (you, meaning the non-entrepreneurial spouse of an entrepreneur) that your entrepreneurial spouse (or significant other - just as important in this scenario) takes on a huge responsibility when they start their own business?

Granted, some of the smaller, home based type business owners could be out there just to make a few extra bucks for fun or they're doing their business for a hobby, not truly a serious business venture.

However, I'm not talking about them here, I'm talking about actual entrepreneurs (home based or not) who are in business to turn a profit AND provide products and services they are passionate about.

I'm also talking about the ones who are your significant others or spouses (so forward this to them if this is the other party - you'll be glad you did) in which case YOU are also NOT an entrepreneur yourself and frankly wouldn't want to be....is this you? Did you know that your spouse may not be getting the kind of support they need in order to be fully confident and successful in their business? (yes, by you) And in order to be completely successful at running your own business CONFIDENCE is the key!

When you have a job working for someone else, often you can succeed without that much confidence but when it's your own business...there's absolutely NO way.

Did you know that your spouse may not know how to communicate this need to you?

Now, two things can happen here....

1 - you won't care and you'll stop reading this or 2 - you'll care but you'll have no idea if this is true or even how to find out what your spouse needs exactly (hopefully you're still reading...)

If #1 occurred then you're probably on your way to divorce anyway so your situation is most likely not fixable.

If you're in alignment with #2 though then GREAT! But now what?

There are basically 2 things you can do to support your spouse in business (even if you don't have any involvement in their business, know what they do or want to know).

You can either take Action or Non-Actions. - Actions consist of ways to physically help out or support your spouse.

- Non-Actions consist of ways to emotionally and mentally help out or support your spouse.

Your spouse unfortunately needs both in order to feel fully supported, loved and encouraged (that's the hard part, it requires some work).

But let's break it down...

- Actions

o helping - when asked for help o learning - about what they do and how else you can support them o listening - to requests, feelings, emotions and needs o loving - at all times in various ways that are noticeable

- Non-actions o understanding - they need to do it 'their way' o giving - of your energy when they need it the most regardless if asked o sharing - feelings, emotions, questions and concerns o expecting - nothing but complete and utter happiness among all

Of course there's so much more to it than this but that's what marriage counselors are for right?

No, seriously...the one way to learn better how to communicate and support your entrepreneurial spouse is to start the dialog, practice this stuff, ask what they need, learn more about what others are doing and then get help as needed