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You’re about to leave work and meet your bo for some quality time, but you’re called into a meeting. This occurrence can cause havoc on your relationship. When your significant other begins to drop hints that he is feeling neglected you know its serious. Hey, your career is important to you and so is your man. How to do work it at work and still keep your man happy? That’s the million dollar question that is answered by career expert Nicole Williams.

Talk it out. Having a conversation is a simple, yet often overlooked, problem-solving tactic. And if you’ve noticed a shift in your partner’s moods when you return home late, we’re betting you already know they’re feeling neglected and in need of such a chat. So why not tackle the problem before it snowballs by bringing up the subject yourself? Start by apologizing for being absent and then set aside a block of time (preferably not after a draining 15-hour workday) to work out a solution that appeals to you both.

Outline your work goals. To help your partner understand why you’ve been absent, start the conversation by explaining the work goals that have kept you in the office. Don’t use these goals as an excuse, but do frame them in a way that your significant other can see why you’ve pursued them at the expense of spending time together. For example, if you’re working toward a raise to pad your joint emergency fund or save for a summer vacation for two, share these details with them. Or if you’re hoping to get a promotion based on your extra hours and work, share with them how you hope this will benefit you both in the future. Once they understand why you’ve been working so much, they’re more likely to forgive your absence—as long as those late nights have an expiration date.

Ask what they need. You’ve shared your side of the story, so give them a turn. Ask your partner what they hope to get out of your relationship and then listen as they outline exactly what a good relationship looks like to them. For some individuals, these needs are as simple as having dinner together two or three times a week. Others might ask you to leave work at the office and stop returning work calls and e-mails all evening and weekend long. Know that their response might be hard to stomach, but that gaining this awareness about your habits is crucial to achieving a work/relationship balance that meets you and your partner’s needs.

Set aside some quality “us” time. If you’re a career-oriented person, your life likely revolves around schedules and deadlines. So it makes sense that you’ll benefit from blocking out some “us” time on your calendar rather than just hoping quality time will happen on its own. Start by discussing a time slot and day that you can both agree on. Then brainstorm what you’d like to do together—be it taking in a monthly movie or aiming high by having dinner together, sans the TV—every night. Wherever you start, know that by discussing the problem, you’re already on your way to success in both love and career.

You can visit Nicole Williams at www.nicolewilliams.com

For more check out Karen’s Blog, Working Divas™– A lifestyle blog that is geared towards work/life balance for women. Follow her on twitter @ www.twitter.com/karenvaughn