004 - Separating Business From The Bedroom

In this episode, we begin by discussing how we're refining our message to address married couples where both partners are involved in building a business together, but not necessarily only those who are building the same business. We provide examples of couples we have in mind when creating new episodes.

Next up, we respond to several questions that asked for strategies for maintaining a healthy work-life balance when you and your spouse are business partners. However, as we discussed, we don't actually think in terms of work-life balance, but more along the lines of alignment between our business and personal lives.

Knowing that some would like specific strategies to test out, we asked AI to generate a list of ideas. Stephanie and I then went through the list, sharing our thoughts about implementing them in our own scenario.

Here is the complete list of suggestions that AI provided as strategies for entrepreneurial married couples to separate business from the bedroom. Test some of these out and see what works for you.

• Set clear boundaries between work time and personal time.
• Establish dedicated "no work talk" periods during the day or week.
• Use separate devices or accounts for work and personal life if possible.
• Schedule regular date nights or quality time together that doesn't involve business discussions.
• Plan activities or outings that are completely unrelated to work.
• Consider occasional "digital detox" weekends to fully disconnect.
• Practice mindfulness and being present in the moment when spending time together.
• Avoid checking work-related messages or emails during personal time.
• Engage in shared hobbies or interests that aren't business-related.
• Develop a system for "parking" work ideas that come up during personal time.
  • Keep a shared note or document for capturing thoughts to discuss later.
  • Set aside specific times to review and discuss these ideas.
• Prioritize self-care and individual pursuits alongside the business.
  • Encourage each other to maintain personal hobbies and friendships.
  • Recognize the importance of individual growth outside of the business.

The Key Message

The key theme we want to convey is that Stephanie and I have gone the route of aligning our business and personal lives, rather than trying to strictly separate the two. As an entrepreneurial couple, our business is so deeply intertwined with who we are as individuals and as partners. Rather than viewing work and personal time as competing priorities, we strive to find harmony and integration between the two.

Our goal is not perfect "work-life balance," but rather a sense of alignment where our business pursuits flow naturally from our shared passions and values. By engaging in hobbies and activities together outside of work, we're able to maintain a strong personal connection that supports our professional collaboration.

There will always be seasons where the business demands more of our time and attention. But the overarching aim is to create a lifestyle where our work fuels our personal fulfillment, and vice versa. For us, it's about recognizing that you and your spouse are a team, building something greater than the sum of its parts. With that mindset of alignment, the boundaries between business and personal life become more fluid and supportive, rather than restrictive.