As entrepreneurs our business is a HUGE part of our lives. We spend every waking hour thinking about how to grow our results and often invest more time nurturing our business than we do our intimate relationships.

As a matter of fact I consider having a business a unique form of relationship. Our business can be an intimate expression of our gifts. It provides financial stability for our family. And often our thoughts are consumed by new ideas and possibilities throughout our day. Think about it: it’s like a love affair! And I’m sure that like me, some days you love your business, some days you are ready to divorce it.

Doubts about your success, feeling overwhelmed or just being plain exhausted by everything it takes to make money can deplete the romance and make you wish you had a job again.

The key to any successful relationship is managing our relationship to it so that we spend more time in love than out of love by learning to keep the “romance” alive in our work so we don’t lose that “lovin feeling.” Here are five ways to help you keep the romance alive so you have the passion and energy to kick up your results a few notches this year.

1. Court your passion
It’s easy to get caught up in the rat race of managing a million activities so remember to cultivate the passion by spending time doing what you love the most. If you spend even 30% of your day doing things that engage positive feelings you’ll be 10 times more excited to do the less enjoyable tasks. Delegate or time block activities that drain your energy after you do your passion work so that you can keep a forward momentum in place.

2. Have alone time
Taking a break from your business is like getting a B Vitamin shot in the arm. You’ll come back with a clear head and lots more stamina to move your big ideas forward. Daily mental breaks for lunch or a quick walk are invaluable but big breaks like entire weekends off and 10 day vacations can work wonders for your bottom line.

3. Schedule dates with friends
There’s nothing like the jolt of joy and positive thinking that comes from hanging with like-minded friends. When you feel a bit low it’s time to book a lunch date, invest in a mastermind retreat or head to a live event. Changing up your environment to learn from others can bring new enthusiasm into your doldrums. Left alone we can fall prey to bad habits or isolated thinking that can stall out your progress. Make it a regular habit to spice up your energy with fabulous friends and colleagues.

4. Get help for troubled waters
There will be times when you will feel stuck or you can’t get past a situation. This is the time to quickly call in an expert to get you back on track. If you stay focused on your issues and challenges then it’s hard to see all the good things that you do love. Hiring a coach to help you clear out the challenges and get refocused on your exciting road map can rekindle the romance again.

5. Get racy.
No it’s not what you think…I mean challenge yourself to play a bigger game. For many of us that means we have to get a wee bit uncomfortable and plow through some limiting beliefs about who we are. Getting racy will bring a burst of power into your game – and can results in achieving some of those dreamy stretch goals you keep talking about.

So what do you do to keep the passion alive? Share your thoughts below . You might also want to grab a free copy of 25 Tips to Re-Energize Your Business in 7 Days or Less at http://www.successconnections.com/reenergize for some additional ideas.

Author's Bio: 

Melanie Benson Strick, the Big Idea Catalyst, helps thought leaders uncover the biggest way to unleash their brilliance without losing their sanity or their soul. With over 12 years in corporate America and eight years as a business owner, Melanie works exclusively with big thinking, heart-based entrepreneurs who are frustrated trying to run a successful business. Co-author of Entrepreneur.com’s “Start Up Guide to an Information Marketing Business” and faculty member for StomperNet, Melanie has a solid reputation for authentic but direct training and mentoring on 6 figure plus business success.

Living just outside Los Angeles, Melanie has spent the last 10 years exploring the secrets to sustaining a successful thriving business without recreating a job. With freedom being one of her core success principles, Melanie spends her free time in search of the best spas and beaches in the world.