Wendy Gladney (Courtesy Photo)

Recently, I was sitting with a few of my girlfriends and the topic came up, why do some smart and successful women have a hard time finding love? Why do they make good decisions in the boardroom and bad choices for the bedroom?  

We discussed that relationships are difficult, time is at a premium, quality choices are slim and sometimes we may feel a bad choice is better than no choice at all. I was silent because I felt like I was one of those women. 

I have been married a few times and I know some of my choices in hindsight were not the best decisions for me. Despite the hurt, embarrassment, and self-loathing, I never gave up on love.  

It would have been easy for me to never want to date again or be in any kind of relationship. Rather than getting bitter about love, I wanted to get better at finding it. I trusted in the power of love and more importantly, the power of prayer.  

I realized my choices were not right for me, so I decided I would be patient and wait for the man that God intended for me. I knew God could not make a mistake. 

It is said that we will be the same person in five years as we are today except for the people we meet and the books we read. I found truth in this statement because a book that I read began to change my paradigms about relationships.  

The book is titled, “The Right Man Business Plan for Women.” The book shows how to use fundamental business principles, relationship economics, and entrepreneurial skills to help you find the right man and have a quality relationship. It shows and shares the similarities and parallels of business and romance.  

I had never looked at dating and relationships like a business, but it made me come to an unexpected understanding – in business, we make decisions based on facts, reason, and rationale. In romance, we make decisions on feelings, emotions, and passion. The exercises in this book made me reexamine my values, priorities, boundaries and non-negotiable standards.  

The author states that in order to build a house, you need a blueprint, to make a movie you need a script, and to start a relationship you need a plan. It reminded me that the true start-up of a business or relationship is what happens before you start up. Proper planning and preparation is required to lay the proper foundation for a successful business or relationship.  

Now for full disclosure – I was so impressed with this book, I married the author, who I had known for twenty-six years. My love for my husband has not impaired my judgement, this book is a game changer for women. You not only can learn what it takes to start a business, but you will also learn ways to think differently about relationships and what is required to make them last and loving. 

In business, you need to decide on what type of legal organization you will be. One type is not necessarily better than any other; it is just a matter of which structure best suits your business needs. The book breaks down the structures on how they relate to romance. Make sure you and your partner are in the same structure. 

 

Sole Proprietor = Single looking to mingle  

Partnership = Committed Relationship  

Limited Liability Corporation (LLC) = Living Together  

Corporation = Marriage. 

 

This Valentine’s Day be on the lookout for the right relationship for you. Never give up on love. 

Healing Without Hate:  It’s a choice. It’s a lifestyle. Pass it on. 

Visit www.WendyGladney.com and www.forgivingforliving.org to learn more. Wendy is a life strategist, coach, consultant, author, and speaker.