By holding meetings like this you also avoid 'spillover' of business into your personal time of which there is precious little to begin with. Which brings us to next point.

KEEP BUSINESS AND HOME SEPARATE

The ultimate success of your business depends upon both of you making decisions based on what's best for business. If you are not prepared to do this, then your business is doomed to failure. Really think about what this means before you start out. Do you - BOTH of you - have what it takes to do that? When time comes will you forego that vacation to Hawaii to plough money back into business? Will you? Are you sure? What if relationship's starting to get a bit shaky? Will you still do it?

It follows from what was said above that business is something separate from relationship/home. This is necessary for survival of business. Equally, it is necessary for survival of your relationship.

What are some of things you can do to keep business and home separate?

=> Set Business Hours

Set regular business hours and stick to them. Except in an emergency, what doesn't get done in business hours doesn't get done until next day.

=> Don't Let Business Intrude on Personal Time

Personal time is all that time outside of regular business hours. Jealously protect it from encroachment by business. If business line rings at 7:30 pm and business hours ended at 6:30 pm, let answering machine pick it up. In other words, shut door on business at end of day.

=> Don't Let Home Intrude on Business

Just as you must jealously guard your personal time, so too you must insulate business from intrusions on home front. So, when friends who know you work from home suggest you play hookey to hang out with them during business hours, say no. Schedule hanging out with friends for your personal time.

If you're at odds with each other about something to do with your personal lives, don't let it affect how you work together in business. Focus on task at hand, not your feelings about personal issue. If it's getting in way, resolve it. Don't let resentment undermine your working effectiveness.

OTHER ISSUES

Finally, there's a myriad of issues that are deserving of whole articles in themselves. They're listed here just as thought starters.

=> Family Demands

If you have children, there may be times when family demands can shift commitment to business of one or either of you. During such times, make sure it's only one of you whose commitment has shifted. Plan for what you will do if, for example, a child gets sick.

=> Outside Interests

To keep your relationship fresh and interesting, you should both pursue interests that are independent of business and each other.

=> Separate Space

You live and work together. That's a LOT of togetherness. Everyone needs personal space. If possible, have separate work areas so you're not under each other's feet ALL time.

=> Capital Sufficiency

Make sure you have sufficient capital to sustain you through start-up phase of your business.

=> Where Did They Get Money for That?

Has your business capital come from family sources? If so, beware scrutiny of your expenditure from family members. It is common for entrepreneurial couples with family money backing them to feel like they have to justify necessity for a particular item of expenditure, particularly if unrelated to business.

=> What if Relationship Ends?

Particularly if business is your sole means of livelihood, think about having a plan for what happens to business if relationship ends. While no-one likes contemplating such an eventuality, fact is that half of all marriages end in divorce. Those are pretty high odds. You may agree that you will both continue with business; one of you may buy other out; or business may be sold in toto with profits being divided between you.

=> Succession Planning

If your business is successful, what will you do when you exit business?

=> Business Failure

Finally, consider your financial position if business fails. Not only are you out of work but so is your partner. This is a very different proposition from a business being run by only one spouse. At least then other spouse is still bringing a paycheck home. Think about how quickly you will both be able to return to paid employment if worst happens.

The prospect of running a successful business with our mate is dream of many. It is natural to want to share as much as possible with our partner. But it is not for faint- hearted and there are many issues to take into account. Don't make your decision based on visions of romantic togetherness. The reality will be altogether very different. But if, with eyes wide open and having taken all of above factors into account, you believe you can be successful in business together, by all means go for it!

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Elena Fawkner is editor of A Home-Based Business Online ... practical business ideas, opportunities and solutions for work-from-home entrepreneur. http://www.ahbbo.com

Elena Fawkner is editor of A Home-Based Business Online ... practical business ideas, opportunities and solutions for the work-from-home entrepreneur. http://www.ahbbo.com

You know something else? It's eternally working all time either constructively or destructively. Whatever thoughts you proactively hold onto, will translate into reality no matter what they are. Thoughts of poverty lead to poverty. Thoughts of prosperity lead to riches.

When your attitude towards yourself and your abilities are healthy, and your attitude toward others is generous, you have then set prisoner free. You have set in motion power that will attract all kind of success in your life. When your attitude is lousy, you will attract all kind of poop in your life. You wanna know what poop is? It's chocolate. Nah…….that's a lie; I just wanted to see if you were awake.

Hey, I've even heard people say, "Yea, but grass is greener on that guy's side of fence." Well, if it is, you can bet your bottom dollar his water bill is higher. I've even heard some people say God is dead. And, Elvis is alive. How stupid can you get? You can always find something that looks bigger and better in your neighbor's front yard. Or, bedroom. "Maybe, that's how stupid you can get."

The Verdict...Guilty of Sabotage!

The next time things start going wrong, wrong, wrong, just stop and ask; What is my attitude right now? Is it optimistic? Is it hopeful? Is it raunchy? I didn't say it was easy.

Hey, that sounds like material for a good song. Don't start daydreaming now. A bad attitude may not have caused everything to go wrong today, but, it will keep things going wrong tomorrow, and next day, and then cause you to sabotage your own efforts. And you won't even know you shot yourself in foot. Hmmm....I think we just answered question, "How stupid can you get".

The Pot Of Gold At The End Of The Rainbow!

Yea, it's true. If our attitude can be responsible for hurting us? It can also be attributable to our good fortune. It's a universal law. Consider this. H2O makes water. It's a law. Always has, always will. And, I don't care how hard you kick and scream and try and cry, it won't ever make root beer. And, every time you put right attitude to work inside of you, you will make water. But, if you add dirt, you'll get mud. So don't try to mix a little good attitude with a little bad attitude, cause you'll end up with a little poop attitude.

Richard Vegas ©2002 Richard Vegas is a popular recording artist and internet marketing professional. He invites you to subscribe to his FREE weekly ezine "Wing-Tips" at: http://www.1-work-at-home-based-business-opportunities.com You may also hear and follow Richard's music career at: http://www.richardvegas.com