🆘 Seasons Of Success (and Support)

Winning Is Intense

Life moves in seasons (James Clear said it so it’s true). Not just the calendar-driven ones, but intense periods that sweep in and temporarily reshape our daily rhythms. This week served as a stark reminder when my carefully structured routine collided with reality: 35 pre-scheduled meetings (yes, 35 holy hell!), a major platform crisis, and about 40 hours of work compressed into 48 hours of life.

The result was predictable: dishes piling up, empty fridge, and my wife shouldering triple her usual load to keep our household functioning. It wasn't sustainable, but I knew it was temporary. And that's the key insight about these intense seasons - they're inevitable, but they don't have to derail everything. And they HAVE to be temporary.

Less Golf, More Doubles Tennis

Here's the thing about navigating these intense seasons - you're not out there playing singles. This is doubles all the way, and both partners need to be crystal clear on their roles, especially when things get intense. And it sounds corny but you both better believe love is the way.

Sometimes you're the one handling the immediate pressure of work demands while your partner holds down the home front. Other times, those positions flip. The key isn't perfect balance - it's understanding what each role requires and being ready to step into either one as seasons change.

That's why we're breaking down the playbook below (and providing the simplest version of it). Whether you're currently in the high-intensity position or providing steady support, you need to know your role, understand your partner's, and keep your eye on the shared goal: coming out stronger together.

The Fight & The Comeback

Perfect balance is rarely achievable, especially during intense seasons. Instead, focus on counterbalancing:

Know Your Role

The playbook for intense seasons looks different depending on which position you're playing. Neither role is easier - they're just different. And remember, you might find yourself playing either one as seasons change. If you want to look at it from each perspective, here's the time-effective,basic ways to show up effectively, whichever side you're on:

For the busy professional:

• Be honest about your capacity

• Show appreciation for your partner's support

• Fight to protect some family time, even during chaos

• Remember that your career success can stress a relationship, not torch it

For the supporting partner:

• Voice your needs clearly (now’s a time for real prioritization between needs and wants)

• Help maintain boundaries

• Create space for recovery

• Build your own fulfilling life alongside supporting theirs - when family quality time suffers but basic requirements are covered, it’s a great time to pour yourself into a personal endeavor

The Reality Check

These intense seasons will come. Sometimes they're unavoidable and necessary for career growth or business survival (but check if your hustle has time to regain) though you may want to . The key isn't to prevent them entirely - it's to:

• Recognize when you're in one

• Support each other through it

• Fight to regain balance afterward

• Build better systems for next time

Success in both career and family life isn't about maintaining perfect balance all the time. It's about managing the inevitable imbalances together, making sure temporary seasons don't become permanent ones, and always finding your way back to each other.

Remember: It's okay to be temporarily imbalanced. Just don't forget to fight back, together, when you can.