How to Feel the Spark and Keep It Alive, In Life and in Business

In the beginning, it’s all freshly laundered sheets, romantic meals out, champagne and roses. But what happens when the spark begins to fade, a seemingly inevitable fate for those in long term relationships?

As Valentine’s Day approaches, the soul searching has started in earnest. How do we nurture romance as familiarity sets in? Can we keep the spark alive in the face of routine and the fatigue of long-term relationships? It’s certainly something to ponder, even as I plan for my own wedding later on in the year!

Coincidentally all this talk about romance coincides with the fifth birthday of my business, POD LDN, founded on Valentine’s Day five years ago just as the first wave of Covid was approaching. That was a very different time to now, but five years on and with a successful business, I’m putting thought to how to keep the flame of building a business burning. So, what are the best ways to keep the passion you once felt for your fledgling company alive?

 If only it were as simple as a few date nights and some new underwear. Advice dispensed by relationship gurus at this time of year might be clichéd, but is there anything we can learn from them to help us keep the business love alive?

· Reconnecting with your partner and why you are in the relationship in the first place is vital.  In business, reconnecting with the why is hugely important – reflecting on your original vision and purpose that inspired you to start your business in the first place, may reignite the spark. How has this evolved? Would it be good to revisit your mission statement and consider updating it to reflect your current values and goals?

· Celebrate each other’s successes in a relationship to strengthen your bonds. In the same way, make sure you celebrate your wins in business – big and small – including the people you work with, their strengths and contributions. In fact, build stronger connections with people across the board - engage more deeply with customers, clients and your community. Genuine relationships can remind you of the impact your business has had on others and help you rediscover your passion,

· Keep it fresh. In a relationship this might be all about date nights and being curious about your partner’s changing desires and hopes. In business this is more about innovation, introducing new products, services, or processes to keep things fresh. Trying something new can bring back the excitement of the early days. In the same way, keep learning something new, keep challenging yourself. Refuse to be satisfied by the familiar.

· Take time for yourself – after all how can you be a good partner if you’ve lost sight of yourself? Similarly, how can you be a good leader if you’re over stretched and stressed out? Sidestep burnout, seek mentors and value peer support.

· And finally – and perhaps most importantly – rediscover the fun. In a relationship it’s all too easy to forget that among all the domestic tediousness that comes with long term relationships, you can still have a good time with your partner. In fact, it’s crucial. As time goes on things get taken for granted and there is a tendency to forget to nurture the fun. Remind yourself why you started your business in the first place and rediscover the thrill of stepping off the corporate treadmill and building something from scratch.

Don’t lose hope if you feel you’ve lost that initial spark. If you felt the same as you did in the first few months of your fledgling business, you’d not only be exhausted, but you would be too busy thinking about how to survive the next six months, to concentrate on building a more established business for the next five, ten or even 50 years. Stay interested, remain passionate, keep motivated, while recognising the passage of time and that way you should be able to get the spark back again and again and again.