In this episode of the Dos Marcos podcast, we talk about some really great companies out there doing some amazing things to help our country battle the problems created by the coronavirus so give it a listen and send those guys a note of thanks via LinkedIn or on their Facebook page. They all deserve a hearty pat on the back. If you know of other companies doing good things, please send me a note, we want to make sure to mention them in an upcoming episode!

I had a Zoom call with some old friends of mine from high school last night and it was really great catching up on each other’s lives. Some of my friends were bitching up a storm because neither they or their Spouse were going to work anymore and so their lives together were changing. They were overlapping; more now than ever.

When I left Leggett and Platt and started my own company, I began working from my home and I was fired up. There is a beautiful office in my House, I love working there, and the commute is about one minute, so life was about to get so much easier for me right? Not exactly. This blog post is for all of you guys and gals out there that find yourselves spending more time at home coexisting with your spouse than before. We want to come out on the other side of this closer as couples right? We can do this people but we have to work together. Just take some of the following suggestions and make them work for you. Quinn’s Rules For Happy Wife, Happy Life. Coexisting edition.

1. Guys, I know you think it’s “your house to” but it’s really not so just come to grips with that now. Sure you help pay the mortgage, hell, you might even be the sole breadwinner so you should have a say in how things are run. But this thinking is delusional and if you continue down this path, you’ll be sorry in the long run. Chances are your wife has a rhythm in how things are done so just get out of the way. Simple things like unloading the dishwasher might seem like a good idea. You might even think you’re actually helping, but she probably has “her way of doing that” so just let it be. Pitching in is great, but ask first and let her guide your next steps.
2. When you put your AirPods in and walk from room to room on a conference call you are probably so engrossed in what is being said, that you’re missing the dirty looks that are being shot at you by your family. Take your calls in a designated workspace and keep it down.
3. Speaking of your designated space, this suggestion comes to us from my podcast partner Mark Kinsley and Jenn Danko from Nationwide. Be sure to carve out some physical space that is your space to do what you need to do, and only venture out of that space if you must have a bio break or if you need to eat something. Think of this as a permanent “time out” corner, but as a grown-up, you can still play on your phone whenever you want.
4. If you think that creating a to-do list for your spouse will be helpful, you may be too far gone for me to help. Can you make casual suggestions on things that might help the household function in a more productive way? Sure you can. But whatever you do, don’t formalize this on paper. Remember; this other person is not your employee so stop short of bossing them around!!!!!
5. When I asked my wife what advice she would give this audience this is what she said. “Tell your spouse that under no circumstance is it okay for you to walk around the house and randomly bust into the Judy Garland version of Somewhere Over The Rainbow. It’s just not helpful.”
6. Afternoon Delight is a great song but I would stop short of setting up that expectation even if you are in close proximity to the master suite around noon. I’m not saying that you shouldn’t make the effort here, but level set your expectations to avoid depression.  If you give your spouse a list, you can pretty much flush this pipe dream down the toilet.

That about sums it up, I hope some of this is helpful and if you have a friend that could benefit then feel free to pass it along. What did I miss? Help us all out and share your tips to a happy and healthy marriage during these trying times!

On a serious note, may God bless you all. I hope that you are dealing with things as best as you can. We can control what we think, which has a serious impact on what we feel, so don’t watch too much news and get creative on making some fun for you and the family!