Ten years a day

Ten years.

It sounds like such a long time, but feels so short.

Today is my anniversary, marking ten years of being married to the best partner I could ask for. It's crazy that we've been married this long, and yet it feels like we just got married a couple of years ago.

In those ten years we've moved 13 times, had two kids, started four businesses, and changed careers twice.

But we've also closed two businesses. And we've seen dozens of our friends and family members' marriages end. What a contrast.

Now, I'm not judging anyone in that boat, and I'm not claiming the panacea to marriage woes. Every marriage is unique, a combination of two unique people from two unique cultures bringing together all of their experiences and influences and families and friends. Every marriage has its hardships and experiences, strengths and weaknesses.

And because I'm me, I immediately think of the parallels in business. I won't list all that again, just go read the last paragraph, but substitute business.

And what makes businesses and marriages successful?

I don't know all the secrets, but I do know this: communication and processes.

Communication with your spouse or business partners, communication with your children or team, communication with your customers and the outside world. Processes for everything from routines to moving, to disaster response.

It's simple to talk about, but much harder to do. It's a constant cycle to review and improve.

So in honor of my anniversary, go think of some area of communications or processes in your business and make a plan to improve it in some way.

Until tomorrow!