As dedicated small business owners, juggling multiple responsibilities can sometimes feel overwhelming. Everyone seems to be having a great summer break, while you just seem to be struggling to keep it together.

The good news is that achieving greater success is within your grasp, and it begins with the small yet impactful choices you make every day.

Explore how you can take charge of your success by optimising the things you can control. We believe that by cultivating positive habits and mindsets, you can spark joy and satisfaction that enriches both your personal and professional lives. With a more balanced approach, you can get the business and life you want.

Take control of your happiness by maximising outcomes from the things you can control.  

1. Be social, with friends and family.

We’re social creatures, whether you are by nature an introvert or an extrovert, we all need to feel connected and part of a community.  Plan time with friends and say ‘yes’ more (to those who make you happy).

2. Don't compare yourself to others.

Be that the size of your bank account, house, holiday, or even your shoes… comparing our situation to others is often detrimental. Comparison is the thief of joy!

3. Practise being grateful.

The ‘G’ word gets bandied around a lot, but for good reason.  It’s human nature to constantly move the goalposts and never stop to appreciate one’s personal growth or the greenness of our own grass.

4. Build better habits and break those that don’t help.

All it takes is some focus, planning, and perseverance. For example, create a new habit around regularly reflecting on what you have to be grateful for. James Clear’s Atomic Habits is full on helpful advice on making small changes for big effect.

5. Help others more.

It’s proven you’ll get more joy from giving than getting.  So be generous with your time, talent, kindness, veggie garden yield, ideas, or money.  Try volunteering for a local charity.

6. Be present.

We’ve all heard this one but consider how to be more present.  What does being present look like in your life?  What rituals or habits should you form to transition properly from work to home life and vice versa? If you work from home, how can you avoid bringing the day’s problems into family or personal life?

7. Get outside more.

That could be for exercise, to get in the garden, to bounce on your child’s trampoline. Being outside, and especially in nature, is proven to make us happier, and when we are happier we have a better mindset for success.

8. Exercise and sleep well.

We all know that exercise and enough sleep improve our health, well-being and resilience, so let’s make it a priority. Leave a skipping rope by the back door!

9. Choose to be happy.

Because, ultimately, it is possible to choose how we show up in the world. Choosing to smile more has been proven to make us feel better about ourselves.

10. Assess what guilty or innocent pleasures bring you joy (and in what quantities).

If new shoes, Netflix or avocado on toast makes you happy, then go nuts. But ask yourself: ‘How much of this will be good for me and those around me?

For example, do two pairs of new shoes make you any happier than one new pair (controversial!)? Does bingeing on five episodes of that Scandi crime thriller chill you out more than watching just one? And, will you sleep better afterwards?

And here's a bonus tip...

11. Don't let your business make you a victim or a villain.

Victims blame everyone and everything else for their situations. Villains make other people feel small. Always play the hero or the helper - your customers, colleagues, friends and families will love you for it.

Every small step counts. By incorporating these, and other tips into your daily routine, you'll not only enhance your personal well-being but also create a positive impact on your business. Success isn't just a destination - it's a daily choice and a continuous process.

At Carthy Accountants, we're here to support you in every aspect of your journey, both professionally and personally. We'd love to hear how you're integrating these ideas into your life.

Get the business you want!