Life Hacks for Happy, Healthy Small Business Owners

Despite the small size of your businesses, being a “small business owner” is a demanding position of great responsibility. Not only do you provide hope and a future for yourself and your family, but you also provide hope and a future for your employees and their families, playing a vital role in our economy.   

As a result, every small business owner is a vital, cherished part of our society, and we must place their well-being and health (physical, emotional, spiritual, and business) at the very top of our priority lists. For the last 20 years, I’ve owned and operated 5 successful small businesses, which continue to operate (in one way or another) today.  Here’s how I’ve not only survived every economic downturn, personal setback, and hardship, but come out of each one stronger, wiser, and filled with more joy. 

Kneko’s approach to Smiling in Every Situation: 

1. Make Your Higher Calling Your Business Mission: My business is a vessel to my higher calling: help others by spreading love. This perspective helps me navigate through setbacks and course adjustments with my spirit and heart intact. It also allows me to take things in stride, do what is needed with joy, and remember how much I love those around me – including my family, friends, workers, and clients. Love is my greatest asset. When I am tempted to forget this, I remind myself of my mission and call upon my faith to fill me with the energy and strength needed to make it through the night. 

2. Prioritize Caring, Especially for Yourself: According to a survey by MYOB, 46% of small business owners reported feelings of depression and anxiety due to running a business. It’s tough work that can get you down if you skip point #1 and don’t give yourself mental, emotional, and physical breaks. Giving yourself a break (literally and figuratively), will allow for much-needed rest, and a rested mind is more creative and innovative. For me, I’ve structured my life so that regular breaks are part of the fabric of my routine. By homeschooling my kids and caring for my farm animals, I get magical escapes from my work to revitalize myself and keep myself healthy.   

3. Use Technology Wisely and Eagerly: I embrace and invest in technology to automate routine tasks, as well as improve efficiency. Using our homegrown operating support system (which we call the HMS or “Happy Management System”) and now Microsoft 365 Copilot has been transformational in allowing a very small number of people to do a lot of things. A report by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce found that 93% of small business owners use at least one technology platform to help run their business. 

4. Reorganize and Integrate Work and Personal Life to Maximize Your Day: Blending work trips with personal trips or making colleagues your friends can help in integrating both worlds. This can make it easier to manage responsibilities and maintain a balance. Truist's 2023 Small Business Survey found that 39% of small business owners are still looking for balance. I find that by merging my two worlds into one. My family goes where I go – we don’t separate – which means we all have to work together to achieve our goals. We find a way to do what needs to be done together. Yes, it presents challenges (such as limitations with travel), but it delivers far more balance. Research shows that employees with good work-life balance demonstrate 21% higher productivity rates compared to those without balance – it’s worth it in more ways than one. 

5. Find a Trusted Leadership Coach to Hone Your Inner Power: Working with a leadership coach has been one of the most transformational investments I’ve made in my future. Gaining greater self-awareness, perspective, and insight into myself has been a pathway to developing deep skill and confidence as a leader to navigate my family, staff, clients, suppliers, and partners. According to a study by the International Coach Federation, 70% of individuals who received coaching reported improved work performance. 

6. Smile and Maintain a Positive Outlook: Cultivating a positive mindset can be the difference between failure and success. As such, hone this skill carefully. It means you learn to be thankful in all circumstances, to recognize the gifts that arise from every setback, as well as to carefully curate how you use your energy. Surround yourself with positivity and eliminate negative self-talk, as well as negative forces (and people). The combination will allow you to harness your energy, expand your confidence, and build your resilience.  

I hope these tips help you achieve a better work-life balance. Is there anything else you would like to know or discuss?