Today, I wanted to write about something that I’ve been thinking about for a long time but haven’t had a chance to discuss with anybody outside of my “inner circle.”
I want to talk to you about how I’ve learned to balance the increasing demands of my career — writing, podcasting, consulting, building products, flying places, etc. — with the real-life responsibilities involved in maintaining a happy long-term romantic relationship.
To be clear: I’m not an expert. I’m not going to write about the 5 Love Languages or tell you that everything is always perfect. I don’t claim to have figured everything out, not by a long shot.
But over the past year, I’ve definitely gotten better.
I think the unique challenges that come with having a girlfriend/boyfriend while still trying to hustle hard are worth talking about, and although this is an issue many of my ambitious friends struggle with, I don’t hear people making any good suggestions to improve their results beyond “try harder.”
This past year year (November) marked our 6 year anniversary, and I’m really happy in the relationship right now. We’ve been through a lot of ups and downs but for the past year, definitely more “ups.”
Coincidentally, the past year has also been my busiest year ever.
Five years ago, I was a server making $2.13 an hour, plus tips — and many of my previous coworkers are still at that restaurant!
These days, I’m flying all over the world, averaging about two trips per month, building online products that net over 6-figures per year, signing book deals, interviewing amazing people, working on interesting projects and having a lot of fun doing it.
Why am I telling you about me? Isn’t this post supposed to be about relationships?
I’m making these points, not to highlight my own achievement, but to pose a question: If I’m doing so much traveling/working/creating these days, how can I afford to spend time building a meaningful relationship with someone else? Well, let me start by telling you what doesn’t work.
I used to think of time in business vs. my relationship in a 1:1 manner. I’d desperately struggle to spend equal amounts of time with both — 80 hours of work meant 80 hours with Sara.
This was a benchmark that I’d set for myself, and I could never hit it. I always felt guilty. On one hand, I knew that the only way I’d be able to grow my business was to work at it tirelessly.
But, on the other hand, working at it tirelessly left me with nothing to contribute to the relationship — and as understanding as she is — you can’t check out for two weeks to work on a big project and expect there not to be any consequences.
I always felt like I was playing catch up with my relationship, and I never felt like she was truly satisfied with my attention, even when I was there.
Then, I started to play with the “formula,” and one day, it occurred to me…
I’d been so stressed about trying to divide my time 50/50, but what if I’d gotten the formula all wrong?
What if it wasn’t about quantity, or spending as much time with my girlfriend as I did on my business? What if it was all about quality?
Over the past 12 months, I haven’t had as much physical time to spend on my relationship as I’d have liked, but what I have realized is that the ratio doesn’t have to be 1:1 if when you do spend time with someone, you’re completely present.
Think about it. How many times have you been with someone you care about, but at the same time you’re:
Scrolling endlessly through your Facebook newsfeed
Thinking about what you have to do tomorrow
Half listening to them
Talking incessantly about your projects, and neglecting to ask them about their day
We’re all guilty of it. Try this: Next time you’re with your boyfriend/girlfriend, be completely there. Completely.
If you’ve worked for 10 hours, and you only have three hours to give them before you pass out, really give them those three hours. And be transparent about it. Say, “Hey, I’m working on a zillion things right now, but I really want to give you my undivided attention now for a few hours.”
Make sure they know that they’re getting all of you (so that you get credit). Then, make a genuine effort to show you’re serious about your time together.
For instance, leave the laptop or cellphone at home when you go out. I left my computer at home when we went to Vegas. It was terrifying and weird, but I felt free. And Sara knew I wasn’t there to work; I was there to have fun with her.
It’s not always easy to balance a relationship with a hustle — whether it’s your own business, a demanding job or school — but it can be done if you emphasize the quality of your together time, and make it clear on both sides what the focus is.
Am I always perfect with this philosophy? Heck no. But, this outlook has helped me immensely over the past year, and I hope it’s useful to you, too.
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