By: O.L./Sway Buckley
It's the smallest and lightest window before something seismic happens.
I've often been intrigued by this concept known as the tipping point.
I've known some of the most patient people to express uncharacteristic frustration suddenly.
Thinking back to different managers that I've had, some of them endured massive sales pressure that would have driven me right out the front door.
Everybody has a tipping point.
But what do business owners do when they've invested so much into building a legacy through ownership? As married entrepreneurs, it's not like we can throw our hands up and say, "yall figure it out-I'm out of here!"
We could, but that would crush team morale and ultimately hurt our leadership, not to mention revenues. I'm learning how important it is to be self-aware and recognize the moment before the tipping point.
As husbands, we must identify where we are mentally and emotionally.
Bro, it would not be a good look for us to cross that tipping point in business and check out from leadership.
At the time of my writing this, I'm preparing to take a few days off so that I don't breach my tipping point. Sales, writing, content creation, negotiations, and all the things that come with marriage, marketplace, and ministry have brought me to a place where rest is needed.
Here are four signs to recognize the space before the tipping point.
1) Your mind wonders more than usual. When the focus is low, it's generally because fuel is low.
2) Your normal becomes annoying. The day-to-day feels like a treadmill, and small tasks feel heavier than usual.
3) Your energy for your spouse isn't there. It's a lot to have casual conversations.
4) You care less, so you're careless. For example, our normal eye for detail is nonexistent.
The tipping point is a combination of all of these.
So the big question is, how do we fix it?
We fix it by being honest about where we are and stop trying to push through by driving on empty. Moreover, end your days early enough to recharge and meet with your wife to schedule your time to step away from the business.
If you're a marriedpreneur couple seeking to implement boundaries that produce productivity and help you optimize your time and guard against distractions, start with our free Marriepreneur Checklist here.
Here's to living purposefully, powerfully, and profitably in sync,
O.L. & Sway
O.L. is a former banker turned real estate consultant and entrepreneur. Sway is a former CEO of a staffing firm she started on her dorm room floor to pay for college. Together they co-own Marriedpreneur Life Consultancy, equipping faith-based married entrepreneur couples with high-level systems to scale (without strain). They're the creators of the Marriedpreneur Operating Systems and the co-hosts of The Marriedprenuer Life Podcast, which was praised as one of Wedding Wire's top relationship podcasts. Learn more at MarriedpreneurLife.com.