As a small business owner, you have a purpose and a mission. Taking time to constantly remind yourself of these ideas can boost your overall well-being and make you happier, a new study published by the American Psychological Association suggests.
The research revealed that self-affirmations, or exercises where people reflect on their core values, identities, and positive characteristics, remind them of their inner strengths and build resilience against external threats and worries. These are valuable qualities for small business owners, who typically need to pivot quickly.
Reminding yourself of values and strengths can boost well-being
Previous research has shown that when people remind themselves of their values and strengths, they’re more effective at accomplishing goals. For instance, students have improved their academic performance and people have been motivated to quit smoking.
The new APA study examined whether self-affirmations have a generally positive impact on people’s well-being and whether these effects are short-term or long-term. Researchers reviewed 129 studies on self-affirmation exercises and examined the outcomes, including general well-being, social well-being, self-perception and sense of self-worth, and reduced barriers to well-being.
Overall, the exercises had a positive impact on people’s general well-being, social well-being, and self-perception and sense of self-worth. They also minimized symptoms like anxiety and negative mood. And the effects persisted, often for several weeks.
It’s not always easy to take time to reflect when you’re busy running your business. However, doing so can be beneficial for your mental health, stress levels, and overall well-being.
How small business owners can tap into these benefits
Self-affirmation exercises have been shown to help individuals manage stressors, which small business owners often encounter. Engaging in such exercises can remind you of why you started the business, help you refocus, and enhance your overall well-being. Here are some ideas:
- Review your purpose statement. You likely started your small business with a purpose and a mission—and a written purpose or mission statement. Keep reviewing it to remind yourself of your “why.” And, if you didn’t write a mission statement early on, it’s never too late.
- List your strengths. When you need a confidence or well-being boost, jot down the top five strengths that you bring to your business, such as customer care or communication. Then, note an example of how each strength has helped your business in the past.
- Focus on your values. What personal values do you bring to your business and customers? Make a list, including what each value means to you and how it directly benefits your business. Research shows that reflecting on personal values can lower individuals’ stress responses.
- Keep setting goals. You started your business with a set of goals, but they’ve probably evolved over time as your accomplishments grew and your focus shifted. Small businesses operate in quickly changing ecosystems, so you often need to reflect on your goals and keep setting new ones.
- Check in with yourself. It’s not always easy to take time to reflect when you’re busy running your business. However, doing so can be beneficial for your mental health, stress levels, and overall well-being. Every week or once a month, note what you did in that time frame that aligned with your mission and purpose, actions that didn’t align, and any adjustments to make. Also, note which goals you accomplished, which goals no longer fit your purpose, and any new ones you’d like to set.
CO— aims to bring you inspiration from leading respected experts. However, before making any business decision, you should consult a professional who can advise you based on your individual situation.
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