So like the title says, I have creative ideas and always try to include my wife in discussions, but all she ever brings to the table is problems and negativity when we discuss things. She thinks she’s being “pragmatic” but it’s tremendously disheartening and the problems she imagines are always the absolute worst of the worst case scenarios. Everything I’ve ever read or watched when it comes to starting businesses is, just start and figure out the problems later. I’m well aware of the potential for difficulties in any endeavor, but tend to believe in myself and my ability to adapt and overcome. Has anyone else experienced this? How did you find middle ground, if at all?
Unless you’re going to use mutual funds and/or she already works in business, there is no need for you to share business ideas with her. When you’re developing something, the opinions that have more weight, come from people who have already done business or are in the field of the business you want to operate from. You won’t always get a yes to everything and there is value in people showing you flaws in the plan or tactic but it has to come from an educated point of view and not speculation. What you need from your wife is to be emotionally supportive, not to be your business analyst.