Navigating success while in a relationship can be tricky. It’s always a hard balance between work and play, especially when your partner doesn’t understand all the work you have to get done. Maybe it’s a 9-5 job and you’re working your way up the ladder so 8-hour shifts turn into 10-12 hour shifts, or maybe it’s building your own business and you work around the clock. Whatever it is, navigating your way to success can be hard while you are in a relationship but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible and it doesn’t mean you have to choose one or the other. Focusing on your dreams and prioritizing your time will make both success and love possible.
Is it Really a Dream?
If your dream is really a dream, your partner should and will support that. They may look at the realistic side of it all and put things into perspective for you, but we all need that from time to time. If your dreams and goals matter to you, they should matter to your significant other too. Working towards being successful and making your dreams a reality shouldn’t have to be put to the side just because your loved one isn’t working towards the same goal. If your goals are truly your dream, you’ll want to accomplish them regardless of if your partner is in on them or not.
Working your way to success is no easy task. It takes time, energy, and dedication. It very rarely happens overnight and sometimes it’s difficult to prove to your partner that it’s all worth it. When your dreams really matter to you, they will find a way. It will work its way through any relationship, any roadblocks, and any doubt. True goals, true dreams, and true success will become a reality through perseverance.
Finding Balance
Work doesn’t exempt you from the responsibilities of a relationship. If you are career-driven and highly ambitious, it’s not easy finding a balance between work and love. Navigating success while in a relationship is about balance. Be able to step away from others when it’s time to focus and know when it’s time to be present with him/her. Your partner may not understand when you have to work (especially if you are building your own business). It may be difficult for them to grasp the idea of focusing and putting in time that you may not be compensated for but that’s part of the process. Being successful requires you to go the extra mile and putting in extra time. That’s what will set you apart: drive and ambition.
Being able to prioritize your time will help keep your relationship thriving and your success coming. It’s easy to allow love to get in the way. It’s easy to stay in your comfort zone. Why work for more when things are just fine the way they are? Just like the old saying goes, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”. I often fall back to this idea when I am lacking motivation. It’s easy to put my work to the side and “do it later”. But, “later” quickly turns into never.
Set aside time that is dedicated to only work. Make it clear to your person that this time is to get work done and once that allotted time is up, allow your partner to have your undivided attention. While you have to set time aside for you, you also need to do the same for your relationship or you will lose passion and interest.
It’s Not Forever
We have busy seasons of life and we have calm seasons. When working towards success, there is usually an end goal or result. Once you accomplish your goal, often your partner will think you are done but that usually isn’t the case. There will always be more to do and more to work on. Take time to acknowledge that with each goal, there is an end. There is a time to stop, breathe, and focus on other things such as your relationship. Try not to get too consumed with one thing over the next. Navigating success while in a relationship can be hard but when you notice that each goal won’t take forever, you can better organize your time and commit to work and commit to someone else.
