National Self-Improvement Month: 5 Smart Investments Every Business Owner Should Make
You've mastered the morning routine, perfected your productivity system, and maybe even meditated your way to inner zen. But here's the uncomfortable truth: your business is still stuck in the same place.
September is National Self-Improvement Month, but most business owners are focusing on the wrong kind of improvement. Over the past decade, "self-care" has become a popular term, often tied to personal routines like skin care, sleep schedules, meditation, or exercise. While these practices are important for balance and well-being, they leave out a critical piece of the puzzle: professional growth.
The real question isn't whether you can stick to a habit, it's whether you can stick to a vision of yourself that scares you a little. Building motivation, cultivating a growth mindset, and aligning your work with your bigger purpose – these are the real keys to long-term fulfillment. And as every small business owner knows, the journey from where you are now to where you want to be requires consistent effort and intentional investment.
The truth is, career advancement takes more than skill – it takes confidence, resilience, and the belief that your goals are possible. Because while bubble baths are nice, breakthrough moments are better. To succeed, your biggest investment should be devoted to one thing: you.
Here are five smart investments every business owner should make this September to create a stronger, more successful future:
Set Clear, Achievable Goals
Dreams are powerful, but without a plan, they’re just ideas. Setting SMART goals gives your ambitions structure and keeps you accountable.
Instead of saying “I want to grow my business” or “I want my own company,” break those dreams into actionable steps:
Specific: Define exactly what success looks like. (e.g., “I want to increase my client base by 10 new customers.”)
Measurable: Decide how you’ll track progress. (e.g., “I will track leads in a spreadsheet weekly.”)
Achievable: Make sure it’s realistic with your current resources. (e.g., “I will add 2 clients a month over 5 months.”)
Relevant: Align it with your bigger vision. (e.g., “More clients means I can expand services.”)
Time-bound: Put it on a deadline. (e.g., “I will reach this by March 31.”)
Even micro-goals create momentum. For instance:
Use a coworking space or in-person office every Wednesday - accountability happens when others see you showing up
Attend one industry event monthly – your next opportunity is always one conversation away
Introduce yourself to one new contact weekly – compound networking beats sporadic efforts every time
Save $50 weekly for professional development – small, consistent investments fund big breakthroughs.
The key is progress, not perfection. Break down big goals into bite-sized, achievable steps and celebrate small wins along the way. Over time, those small wins stack up to a major transformation.
2. Improve Your Financial Literacy
Money management is often overlooked in self-improvement, but it’s critical to both personal and professional success. Learning how to budget, invest, or even navigate taxes as a small business owner can reduce stress and give you more control over your future.
For most people, financial literacy isn’t something that comes naturally, it's a skill, just like any other. To build it, you need to listen, practice, and study. Don’t expect to figure everything out alone; seek expert guidance, then apply what you’ve learned to your personal and business finances.
Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to expand your financial knowledge without overwhelming your schedule. Start small by exploring community classes, online workshops, or local business development programs. Many organizations host events designed for entrepreneurs where financial literacy is a recurring theme. Whether it’s understanding cash flow, creating a savings plan, or learning about investment options, each step you take builds confidence and long-term stability.
3. Prioritize Personal Branding
Your reputation walks into the room before you do. Investing in your personal brand – whether that's your LinkedIn profile, website, or even how you communicate in meetings - ensures people recognize your expertise and trust your voice.
But here's what most people miss: your brand extends beyond you. If you're meeting clients in person, the physical space itself matters. Is your meeting room clean, comfortable, and professional? Does the setting leave your clients impressed, or are they eager to leave? Every detail matters, from the seating arrangements to the Wi-Fi speed. A premium experience doesn't just justify higher prices; it becomes part of your competitive advantage.
Think of personal branding as your professional handshake. It’s what leaves a lasting impression. The stronger and more consistent your brand, the easier it is for others to connect your name with credibility and value.
Start by auditing your current presence:
Online: Is your LinkedIn profile complete and up to date? Does it clearly highlight your strengths, achievements, and goals? If you have a website or portfolio, does it professionally showcase your best work? Is your Google Business Profile set up so people can easily find you through search? For maximum visibility, you should confidently answer "yes" to each question.
In-person: How do you show up in conversations, meetings, or networking events? Your communication style, confidence, and even body language all feed into how others perceive you.
Content: Sharing your perspective, whether through posts, articles, speaking engagements, or podcasts, positions you as a thought leader in your field.
Personal branding isn’t about creating a persona; it's about authentically aligning your strengths, values, and skills with how you present yourself to the world. The clearer your brand, the more opportunities will naturally find their way to you.
4. Turn Your Workplace into a Launchpad, Not a Roadblock
Your workspace is either fueling your ambitions or quietly sabotaging them.
The reality check most business owners avoid: if your current environment drains your energy, limits your potential, or makes you feel "less than professional," it's not just affecting your mood – it's affecting your bottom line. The coffee shop that seemed charming six months ago? Now it's where deals go to die because you can't take a private call.
Stop settling for setups that hold you back. Take an honest inventory: Does your workspace encourage focus and creativity? Can you host clients without apologizing for the setting? Does the environment make you feel like the professional you're becoming, not the one you used to be?
If your cons list is longer than your pros, it's time to invest in a professional office space that works as hard as you do – one that prioritizes your comfort, efficiency, and success.
5. Build a Strong Network
Positive relationships are at the heart of all of life’s successes. By surrounding yourself with individuals, mentors, and peers who inspire and challenge you, you can access opportunities you may never have found alone.
The key? Go beyond the business card.
To find relationships that provide true, professional growth, you must push yourself past transactional networking and surface level interactions. Focus on connection: grab a coffee with someone you admire, join a local business group, attend a professional conference – anything that opens you to new people, experiences, and opportunities for development.
Most importantly, be intentional:
Diversify your connections: Don’t limit yourself to only people in your field. A varied network brings fresh perspectives and unexpected opportunities.
Be a giver, not just a taker: Share resources, celebrate others’ wins, and offer help when you can. Strong relationships are built on mutual support.
Stay consistent: Building relationships isn’t a one-and-done activity. Check in, follow up, and nurture them over time.
Leverage online tools: LinkedIn groups, industry forums, and virtual events are a great way to expand your reach far beyond your local community.
Remember, building a network shouldn’t be about collecting contacts. It’s about creating meaningful relationships that help everyone involved grow stronger together.
Start Your Self-Improvement Journey Today
This September, we invite you to move beyond surface-level self-improvement and make the strategic investments that actually drive business growth. By setting clear goals, improving your financial literacy, building your brand, optimizing your workspace, and expanding your network, you're investing in the foundation of your business success.
Take the first step and make one of the smartest investments on this list. A WorkSmart membership gives you the professional workspace, networking opportunities, and business infrastructure you need to grow. Book a tour with us to see how the right environment can accelerate your business goals.