No, I Can't Just 'Turn It Off': When Your Partner Doesn't Understand Your Business Brain
"It's 6:30 AM. You want to talk about XYZ company NOW?"
If you're an entrepreneur, especially one who works with your spouse, this scenario probably sounds painfully familiar. That moment when your partner's business brain activates at the most inopportune times - during family dinner, as you're trying to fall asleep, or before you've even had your first sip of coffee in the morning.
I realize that not all entrepreneurs work with their spouse. For those of us who do, it can feel like all you do is eat, breathe, and sleep your business, especially if one of you can't turn "off" the business part of your brain.
When Business Brain Never Sleeps
To be honest, Josh struggles with this more than I do. I've lost count of the number of times I've said to him, "It is 6:30 AM. You want to talk about XYZ company now?..."
It's like his brain has no off switch when it comes to business ideas, challenges, or opportunities. They pop up at breakfast, during what's supposed to be a relaxing evening, or even on vacation. And while I love his passion and commitment, there are times when I just need a mental break from all things business.
The line between work and home becomes especially blurry when your office is in your house and your business partner sleeps next to you. Where do you draw the boundaries? When is it okay to share that brilliant idea that just popped into your head, and when should it wait for official "work hours"?
The Rule That Saved Our Sanity
After years of business talk infiltrating every moment of our lives, we finally established what we call our "8-to-7 rule": no work talk before 8 AM or after 7 PM.
Sounds simple, right? In theory, yes. In practice... well, let's just say it's a work in progress.
Even with our 8 AM-7 PM work talk rule, it's still a challenge. I've had my share of "it popped in my head and out my mouth" scenarios at 8 PM as well. Part of it is just human nature - when you're passionate about your business, those thoughts don't neatly confine themselves to business hours.
