No one ever said it was easy to manage a career. Throw a relationship into the mix and you’ve got career suicide, right? Wrong. Just because you have a strong relationship, it doesn’t mean your occupational goals have to suffer. In fact, it’s quite the opposite!

It’s a fact: Sometimes life forces us to put more weight on one thing than on another. Sometimes this priority shift means you have to forgo one goal in exchange for another; for example, you might have to tone down your professional aspirations in return for a strong relationship. But you shouldn’t have to sacrifice one aspect of your life for another. After all, what’s the fun of a promotion if you don’t have someone to share it with?

Make sure that both your significant other and your coworkers know that they’re significant parts of your life. When both understand that they are mutually valuable, your partner will understand that when you stay late at the office, it doesn’t mean that you’d rather be at work. And when you take a personal day, your coworkers will understand that it doesn’t mean you don’t care about your job.

Communicate that both your job and your relationship are of high priority and sometimes, as need be, one might take precedence.

To have a successful career and a loving relationship is to have the best of both worlds. What’s the best way to keep those two separate worlds happy? Just that—keep them separate! That means that when you’re at work, commit fully to your job, the task at hand, and the needs of your coworkers or managers. Don’t let your love life be a distraction. There’s plenty of time to daydream outside the office. Instead, spend your workday being productive and you’ll have more quality time to spend with your beloved after work.

when you spend quality time with your significant other, don’t let work distract your attention. Put away your BlackBerry, stop talking about your next big proposal, and halt all conversations about your gossipy coworker. Instead, discuss topics you as a couple both enjoy. On the plus side, you’ll find that occasionally disconnecting (fully) from work will make you more productive when you return to the office.

The number one factor in job loss and relationship breakdown is lack of time and dedication. Successful professionals who are in relationships know these things can be avoided with a little forethought and planning. If your career demands that you work long hours at the end of the month, plan a weekend getaway with your guy the week before so you can share time before your required separation. After a vacation or break from work, come back to the office energized and eager to get back to your job. Show your boss that even though you value your relationship and personal life, you are similarly devoted to your professional success.

It’s unavoidable that you spend time at the office, but it’s avoidable that the fact you have a job ruins your relationship.. The fix? Take five minutes each day to send a quick private message to your significant other, write on his Facebook wall—heck, even send a quick email to let him know you’re thinking of him. But please, this shouldn’t be a novel, nor should you share in a monumentally long IM chat every hour. Remember, you’re at work … you should be working! Just a quick two-liner about how special he is will do just fine.

You cannot eat your cake and have it .

You cannot eat your cake and have it.
i choose bread, of course.