I was recently invited to read Happy Healthy Wealthy Entrepreneurs by the HHW Mastermind Group, which was founded by James Ker-Reid.
The book sheds light on how many of us poorly manage our work-life balance and focuses on teaching the reader how to shift priorities in order to become successful in business whilst making time to live well. I was left feeling inspired and motivated, and thought it would be interesting to share my learnings from each contributor to the book.
Co-Founder at Founder Revenue Academy for Self-Funded & Pre-Seed Tech Founders and CEO at Sales for Startups
James Ker-Reid’s outlook on business is refreshingly down-to-earth. In his chapter, James provides a thought-provoking framework for success which, unlike many other books in the genre, does not simply focus on generating as much cash as possible in the shortest amount of time. Rather, it gives constructive advice for building a sustainable business model that will provide you with both cash and a positive professional life, filled with good working relationships.
What stands out to me is James’ recommendation of going the extra mile to deliver a ‘Tesla experience’ for your first five customers (who, as James points out, will surely become your biggest advocates) as opposed to obsessing about growth and trying to sell to as many new customers as possible, as quickly as possible.
Nutrition Consultant, Yoga Teacher and Fitness Trainer at WholeShift Wellness
Co-Founder and Director at Whole Shift Wellness and Author of ‘Make The Shift – A Proven Method for Busy Professionals to Transform their Health, Wellbeing and Confidence’
Serena Sabala certainly tells a familiar story. As we rush about our business, we often push wellness aside which, ironically, often contributes to unproductivity.
She offers a sobering reality about the way we prioritise elements of our lives and how we can shift those priorities to make incorporating wellness practices more sustainable.
If your schedule is overwhelmingly busy, or you are simply unmotivated when it comes to being active and taking care of yourself, you will find the learnings from Serena’s chapter extremely helpful.
Partner at accountancy consultancy Fairman Harris
Shafiq Meghani highlights the value of people in business, which is wonderful in a world that is slowly but surely being taken over by technology and automation. Shafiq explains the importance of collaboration between people in business which, case in point, is also what gives strength to the entire book.
Importantly, Shafiq explains why it is a good idea to be mindful of who you collaborate with and take advice from, and to take extra care in ensuring they are on your professional wavelength.
Head of Operational Capital Markets at Colliers
Advisor and investor to businesses across real estate, technology & wellbeing
Chair of Pathways to Property
Paddy Allen invites you to play your own game and to keep pedalling the bike. Using candid examples of his own personal experiences in life and business, Paddy explains that resilience and motivation (in particular, choosing the right motivation) truly are key to success.
This chapter puts plainly that we are often our own worst enemies by comparing our success to others’ and finding reasons to procrastinate rather than progress.
Founder at Famous Publicity
Tina Fotherby provides an unexpected and rarely heard perspective on business, which is that time is far more valuable than cash.
Explaining how she chooses a less chaotic lifestyle over working at maximum capacity, Tina points out that what is important is to make enough cash to live comfortably, whilst allowing time to sit down and enjoy life’s little luxuries.
This combined with positive business ethics is the essence of Tina’s ethos, which is her recipe for success in business.
Founder and CEO at TV production company Small Films and Author of ‘Resonance: Unleash your brand’s potential with video’.
I found myself really engrossed in George Hughes’ chapter, which is wonderfully blunt and puts an emphasis on creating a good working environment for your employees. It is so relatable and doesn’t promise to provide the perfect solution, but rather conveys a logical perspective on business, from one imperfect human to another.
Essentially, George focuses on all things reasonable. Reasonable hours, reasonable benefits and reasonable work that benefits employer, employees and clients alike.
Hostile working environments and unfathomable hours are a recipe for failure, as George experienced first-hand in the television industry. He recommends that you take your foot off the gas (counterintuitive though it may sound) and focus on becoming a better employer and setting boundaries with clients in order to achieve a more sustainable business model.
Founder at Keepers
As a recruiter for startups and scaleups, Ross Summers is a voice to be trusted when it comes to choosing the right people to help your business succeed.
In this chapter, it becomes clear that recruitment is a process which starts with hiring but doesn’t end there – a trap that many business owners fall into. Ross suggests business leaders should offer their employees value, not only requiring it from them, from the get-go and creating paths for progression to retain top talent.
An important takeaway from this chapter is that if you want your employees to invest their efforts in your business, you must show them what they’re working towards. An employee blindly following the ‘to do’ list you’ve handed them won’t offer the same value as one who understands the business’ goals and how they are contributing towards achieving them.
Online Learning Expert & Marketing Specialist
Co-Founder at Assemble You
Adam Lacey provides helpful insight into the value of automation for outsourcing low-value work – a vital practice which allows entrepreneurs to manage their enormous workload and avoid burnout.
Essentially, this chapter reminds us that time is our most valuable asset and that we must spend it wisely. We live in an age with greater access to good value technology that improves productivity. It is possible to supercharge your business and offer greater customer satisfaction by being receptive to automating and digitising elements of your business.
Adam provides examples of common tasks which can easily be delegated to avoid the ‘five-minute trap’, in which entrepreneurs end up losing a large proportion of time in undertaking tasks that ‘only take five minutes’. He also provides helpful advice for finding the right people and tools to save you time.
Head of Sales, Europe at Realtime Agency
Although none of us want to feel burnout, few realise the negative impact it can have on mental health. Simon Watson speaks from his own experience to provide clarity about the consequences of working to the point of exhaustion, and how you can avoid it.
I was quickly won over by Simon’s recommendation of taking regular naps to increase productivity, backed up with the example of ‘famous napper’ Christiano Renaldo. Who am I to argue?
Simon promotes making time for a life outside of work, including time for family, holidays and hobbies which, he says, increases productivity. After all, what’s the point in making money if you’ve no time to spend it?
B2B marketing and Ecommerce professional and Growth Consultant
Co-Founder at OnlyDataJobs.com
Many entrepreneurs and even employees are aware that they could be setting their own hours and working from remote, sunny locations but are held back by worries such as affordability, not being able to professionally network and being distanced from customers or employers.
If this sounds familiar you will really benefit from Jonathan Hedger’s chapter, which debunks the myth that becoming a ‘digital nomad’ is unrealistic. Rather, he explains that it is not only possible, but it could improve your existence.
Fascinatingly, Jonathan shares some practical tips about the best times to be in certain locations to avoid painfully high rental charges whilst living abroad in desirable locations.
Financial Advisor
Founder and Director at J G Wealth
James Gill brings to the table a perspective of financial planning which serves up food for thought. Exciting though it is to make money and live well, the end goal is continuing this into your retirement, and the end goal after that is generational wealth.
He reminds us of the tax benefits of contributing to a personal pension, which at the moment are highly advantageous to those running a limited company, and that the most important time to start saving was yesterday.
Co-Founder and Managing Director at sixredsquares
This is a competitive world we live in, and often we disregard the importance of teamwork and collaboration. Owen Williams shares his story and how his relationships with fellow founders have been central to his professional success.
There is an underrated value in working with people who share your ethos and whose personalities and skill sets chime well with your own, which is hammered home in this chapter.
Owen explains how choosing the people you work with can have a ripple effect on your life, for better or worse. The takeaway from this chapter is that finding the right team to share the load will ultimately allow you to enjoy a healthy balance between your work and personal life and, in turn, aid your success in business.
Business Coach and Leadership Mentor
Andrew Priestley delivers a thought-provoking chapter that encourages business leaders to consider something they would often rather deny: They might be a bad boss.
Rather than reprimanding bad bosses, Andrew offers insight as to why leaders sometimes fail to inspire their teams and – as you can probably guess from the theme of the book – it’s mostly because they forget to make time for themselves and prioritise their own wellness.
To summarise Andrew’s intelligent and eloquent piece, burnout makes you irritable and if you’re treating your team badly, it is likely that your business won’t succeed.
Admitting his own past faults, Andrew shares the story of his first business and how he ultimately reconfigured his life and shifted priorities in order to become Happy, Healthy and Wealthy.
Having a busy lifestyle as a mother, freelancer, pet owner and horse rider, I scarcely have time for reading, but this book has provided me with helpful insight into understanding the mindsets of entrepreneurs and business owners. In addition, the life and business experiences shared in Happy Healthy Wealthy Entrepreneurs have also helped me understand my own colleagues and clients better.
