As a couple working together, you already spend much time with each other. While this can strengthen your connection, it also brings unique challenges. Here are some tips to make the most of working together without damaging your relationship.

1. Define Your Roles and Responsibilities

Discuss your expectations for work hours, response times, and availability. For example, agree to limit work calls and emails after 6 p.m. and on weekends. If possible, establish a clear separation between your work and living spaces. These boundaries will help you stay focused during work hours and fully unplug in your off hours.

Determine who will handle which key areas or tasks based on your skills, interests, and bandwidth. For example, if one of you is more of a “big picture” thinker, assign that person long-term strategy and planning. If the other is highly detail-oriented, have them focus on day-to-day operations and troubleshooting. Splitting up the workload and playing to your strengths will make you a more effective team.

2. Set Clear Boundaries Between Work and Home

When you walk in the door after work, agree to leave work talk behind. Focus instead on connecting as partners. Cook dinner together, walk, or just talk about your day. Save work discussions for work hours.

If you work from home, designate separate spaces as work areas and personal spaces. When you’re in work mode, stay in your workspace. When work is done, leave that space behind. This physical separation will help you mentally transition between work and home.

Agree to limit work calls or emails to emergencies only. Make sure any digital communication tools you use for work, like Slack or Trello, are closed outside of work so you’re not tempted to check in.

3. Schedule Regular Check-Ins

Make it a habit to schedule regular daily, weekly, or monthly check-ins with each other. During these meetings, openly discuss how you’re both feeling about the state of the business and your working relationship. 

Some discussion points could include:

• Are we both still passionate and motivated about the work? If not, how can we reignite that spark?
• Do we feel like we’re dividing up responsibilities fairly and playing to each other’s strengths? 
• Are there any tensions or annoyances we need to address before they become bigger issues?
• What’s working well that we want to keep doing? 
• Are we making enough time for our relationship outside of work?

4. Don’t Take Work Conflicts Personally

Leave relationship baggage out of work discussions. Avoid bringing up past issues or hurt feelings, and focus on the current work topic. Don’t get defensive. Step back and fully understand the other person’s perspective before reacting.

Once you’ve addressed the work issue, take some time to reconnect as a couple. Do something fun together, like dinner, see a movie, or talk. This can help reinforce your bond and shift your mindset to your personal relationship. When conflicts arise, address them promptly and directly. 

5. Make Time for Fun and Romance Outside of Work

When you work together as a couple, it’s easy for the lines between work and home to become blurred. Make a conscious effort to maintain your romantic connection. Go out for a nice dinner at your favorite restaurant. Enjoy a quiet evening at home cooking a meal together. Watch a movie, play, or show. Try a new hobby you enjoy. Do small things daily, like holding hands, kissing, or complimenting each other.

This will strengthen your emotional intimacy and help prevent work stresses from affecting your relationship. Schedule a weekly date night and stick to it. Try planning a quick weekend getaway from time to time for an extra boost, and also reconnect as a couple.

Working with your significant other can be a fantastic experience that brings you closer together, or it can create conflicts within your relationship. If you are having difficulty balancing work and romance with your partner, call our office. Couples therapy can help get your partnership back on track.