Nineteen years ago today I was this girl…getting ready to marry. I had just turned 20 years old.

My father was the preacher that performed the ceremony and I will never forget his words. (You might imagine that he went a little ‘off’ the script when he was marrying his only daughter.)

“Carrie and Eddie, making the decision to get married is easy. Making the decision to stay married is much more difficult. Being married is not really about being in love, but about making a choice every day to make your marriage work.”

He was right. (Of course) He and Mom do have 48 years of practice, after all.

• Am I just lucky because I’m married to the man of my dreams?
• Am I just fortunate because all the conditions are always right?
• Have we just had no bumps, no trials, no misfortune?

Well…in truth, I’m married to the man I chose, no one assigned him to me and he is the man of my reality.We have 4 amazing kids, a fun life and still enjoy a great relationship! We have had trials, tragedy and lots of learning opportunities (code for fights, LOL)

We make daily choices to spend time together, to talk, to be a team and to make this difficult thing called marriage successful. It doesn’t mean I’m perfect (far from it). Doesn’t mean he’s perfect (although he IS a saint for putting up with me all these years!)

We choose. We persist. We mess up. We figure things out. We press on.

My business has been the same way. I’m not lucky. I’ve not been blessed with the dream business falling out of the sky. And I’m not sure I believe there is one ‘ideal’ business for anyone and everyone.

I believe it’s like a marriage.

You choose. You persist. You mess up. You figure things out. You press on.

Why are we sometimes disillusioned with our business? I think this quote perhaps sums it up.

~  Dreaming about being an actress, is more exciting then being one.  Marilyn Monroe

We get attached to the dream, the hope, the wishing, the stars…and when you wake up the next morning with a full dose of reality and it isn’t quite what you painted it to be, you get frustrated or fearful.

So what are some of my secrets to a great marriage business?

1. Remind yourself that you chose this path, this spouse business – you were not assigned
2. Daily, find things to compliment, celebrate & be thankful for
3. Keep learning & improving (don’t let yourself go)
4. Surround yourself with others that are also successful in marriage business
5. Have a mentor or coach that has walked the path before you
6. Spend time every day on the growth of your relationship business

Just a few thoughts today…another parallel, if you will.

I’m proud of the longevity & persistence of my marriage AND my business. I’d love for you to comment below ONE thing this week that you’re going to do to improve the growth of your business!