Talk about romance reduction: I have been working on… let's see… 3 websites, a six week product creation workshop, a new application for internet marketing, and a client's website. All that along with doing some relationship coaching. The result is that every night for a few days, Dawn has gone to bed well before I have. I'm also up an hour erlier each day. I am getting tired again.
This is where I need to set some goals, stick to a time-line, make some sacrifices and make sure my wife understands what's going on. I am happy to say that she supports my endeavors – because I am excited about it and there is a light at the end of the tunnel. So in the mean time, I am still carving out time to do some special romantic things for her – but not to the level that I would normally. She totally understands. Man, I appreciate her! [more]
It's important to be transparent with your wife. Be open and honest. Let her know when you're going to be busy for a long period and get buy-in from the inception. If you launch an ambitious project (like going back to school, for example), you're going to be tired, so be ready. The thing to look out for is getting tired AND grumpy. If you start biting her head off at the drop of a hat, you need to re-assess your priorities.
One thing I want to avoid in my case is any build up of resentment. So – although she supports me, I am still doing whatever I can to help around the house and take care of the kids – and I am sacrificing to do so. I love my family and will never let the pursuit of money get in the way of the true love of my life: my wife and kids.
I am taking a "hit" in the romance department for a few weeks, but I never lose sight of how important romance is to a marriage, so I won't let the hit to our romance be too big.