The Habits That Lead to Success + 34 Years of Marriage

Michael and I recently celebrated 34 years of marriage! We took a trip to California, we started out with a plan for staying a week and then due to the fires out there, postponed our Napa Experience and headed to some sun in Mexico. This leads to the importance of what I am going to be sharing today.

In marriage, just like in business, it’s good habits that keep everything flowing and growing. For us, we have always taken the time to travel and spend one-on-one time together and we always make sure to check in with one another and really talk about how we are feeling and how we are doing. We chat about business, we chat about life, we share, we dream. We are truly partners in all areas of our life and we know we can trust each other over everything.

I’ve been watching the new series on Amazon Prime called Modern Love and it’s really extraordinary, even Michael has enjoyed watching it with me. Definitely put it on your list if you love love stories of all kinds. The stories are based off personal essays written in the New York Times Modern Love column. There is also a podcast called Modern Love, so if you like to listen instead of watch, you have that option, too!

Even though every single story is different in the Amazon series, there is a common theme throughout them all. It’s communication and connection. Two really great habits to think about it in your personal and business world.

Think about the times in your business when things weren’t going well. It was probably linked to you not following your gut (not communicating with yourself) or having an issue with a vendor or a client due to lack of communication or a misunderstanding, etc.

Never stop talking!

Ask your clients how you can better support them, be interested in what troubles them and be there to support them through it.Ask your team if they have everything they need to do their job effectively,
this is not micromanaging this is leadership.

Ask your colleagues for resources and share ones with them.

Ask your friends and family for input or advice and share your knowledge with them.

Ask yourself if you are happy and what might need to change if the answer is no.

The next habit is connection.

Never stop connecting with people!

Go to the networking event, meet someone, then follow-up and build a lasting relationship.

Go to the speaking gig and find a common bond with the other speakers.

Go to the round table and meet other people in your position and find support.

Go to your child’s school and meet other parents facing the same season of life.

Go to dinner with your adult children and listen to their concerns and successes.

Go to happy hour with your friends and let one another vent and laugh and cry.

Go out with your spouse or your partner and truly enjoy each other’s company.

Go out with yourself! Take a day for self-care and reset.

If you make it a habit to constantly communicate and constantly find and nurture connection, you will find great success.

Ivy