- APPAIRENT
- Posts
- Hindsight is a B*tch - Or is it?
Hindsight is a B*tch - Or is it?
3 mistakes that I've learned from and made a change for the better in partnership.
Michael Hatfield
June 22, 2025
Look in the rear view to go forward
Learning from Round 1…on Round 2
We just welcomed our second child to Earth a few days ago. Beyond blessed doesn't begin to cover it.
What's hit me most isn't just how much smoother things are going (knock on wood), but how much better my wife and I are working together. We're communicating more clearly, sharing burdens more intentionally, and giving each other relief (and grace) where it matters most.
The difference? We're not making the same mistakes twice.
Cliché? Sometimes. But in careers, personal growth, parenting—and especially in our partnerships—a lot of success comes when we quit repeating failures and act upon them instead.
What past hiccups and failures can you learn from today and act on in your relationship. I’ve got a few.
Can you do 1 or more of these things? I’d be grateful.
Click any of the social icons at the top of this newsletter to repost/share this info on your favorite platform.
Forward/refer a friend for the newsletter if you think we can be helpful to their partnership at home.
Signup for Appairent Essentials - DIY is possible but you’ve got a lot on. I want one more thing to manage, so you don’t have to.
Convert the Failure
Go All Out (Sometimes)
How many times have you played it safe with the "can't go wrong" dinner reservation or the gift that fits exactly in budget? Stop. Use the 95/5 rule: be ruthless about 95% of your spending and scheduling, then go completely splashy with the remaining 5%. This creates the memorable moments that make everything else worth it.
Ask for Help
Ever tried to hero something through only to find that you’re stressed, ugly, discontent and not a joy to be around? Me too. I still make the mistake sometimes, but I’ve also learned to take my own advice. I speak up when I can see that I’m trying to shoulder too much, and we’re all better for it. Is there something right now you’re trying to muscle out at home? We can do tough things, but sometimes we can do them better when we help. Ask for it, whether from your partner, or from outside help in order to help your partner.
Schedule “That Thing” Right Now
You know exactly what I'm talking about. That trip, that conversation, that experience you both keep saying you should do. Stop thinking about it. Open your calendar and block 30 minutes this week to plan it. Then, with some fanfare, let your partner know it’s done, booked and it’s happening. Nothing is ever worse b/c you have an intent and execute on it.
The same principle that's making round two of our parenting better applies to your partnership: learn from what didn't work before, then choose differently.
Your most important relationship deserves that level of learning, progress, and intention. Now, back to the beautiful chaos 🍼
🍻
Hat
Need help making sure you actually follow through on these intentions? That's exactly why we built Appairent. We turn good relationship intentions into scheduled reality.