5 Happiness Hacks That Actually Make You More Money
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Running a business isn’t supposed to drain you. It’s supposed to light you up. Make you money. And give you the freedom you left corporate for.
Yet, most service-based entrepreneurs are stuck in a cycle of burnout. They chase strategy after strategy, hoping the next one is “the one.” But what if they’re missing the most powerful growth lever of all?
Happiness.
Yep. Real, meaningful, daily joy. Backed by science. And profitable as hell.
Why Happiness is a Business Strategy, Not a Bonus
Research from Oxford University found that happy workers are 13% more productive. That’s not fluff. That’s fact. Happy people sell more. Create faster. Recover from setbacks quicker. They have better conversations and better ideas.
And yet, most coaches and consultants delay happiness like it’s a reward for hard work.
“We’ve been taught to push, to prove, to grind, to delay joy. Like when I do this, then I’ll do that. But guess what? It’s not working.”
- Deirdre Martin
If your business isn't making you happy, it's not sustainable. And it’s likely leaving money on the table.
The PERMA Model Explained
Martin Seligman, a founding father of positive psychology, created the PERMA model. It’s a framework for well-being that turns abstract happiness into practical actions. PERMA stands for:
- P: Positive Emotion
- E: Engagement
- R: Relationships
- M: Meaning
- A: Accomplishment
Let’s unpack how each one applies directly to your business, and how to leverage them for income and impact.
Positive Emotion
Your emotional state affects your energy, confidence, and conversion rates.
Here’s how to generate it on purpose and build joy into your day:
Design your day around dopamine
Start your morning with something that energises you. Take a walk, work out, or journal with coffee. Whatever it is, make it non-negotiable.
Kill the mood killers
Audit what drains you: low-vibe clients, repetitive content formats, admin tasks. Automate, delegate, or delete them. Then, replace them with energisers.
Share your wins publicly
Not bragging. It’s business. People buy from people who are lit up.
“Joy grows when it’s shared. And that post about the win? It’s not bragging, it’s energy marketing.”
Engagement
You started this business for freedom, not endless admin. Get back to flow.
Here’s how to find it and get lost in what you love:
Find your flow state
What work makes time disappear? Strategy sessions? Brand mapping? Coaching calls? Do more of that.
Make admin fun or eliminate it
Hate invoicing? Automate it. Writing content? Use prompts. Even gamify boring stuff if you must.
Stop comparison scrolling
Scrolling for “inspo” but ending up in shame is sabotage. Clean your feed. Protect your focus.
Relationships
Entrepreneurship gets lonely. But that loneliness? It’s optional. Most people understimate how being surrounded with the right people affects your happiness, productivity and overall success.
Here's how to build real connection:
Curate your crew
Get into rooms where 7-figure conversations are normal. Proximity matters.
Be radically honest online
Stop performing. Share your truth. People buy from those they trust.
Nurture your ride-or-dies
The ones who remind you who you are when the algorithms don’t.
Meaning
If your business feels hollow, it’s not a marketing problem. It’s a meaning problem. As Simon Sinek would say, “People don’t buy what you do, they buy why you do it.” Applying that same logic to yourself, reconnect with your why.
Here’s how to rediscover your purpose:
Ask who suffers if you stay small
Your clients. Your family. Yourself. Let that vision pull you forward.
Link your business to a cause
Support something bigger than yourself. Purpose fuels performance.
Revisit your origin story
Why did you start this business? Write it. Say it. Anchor into it when motivation dips.
“Purpose is rocket fuel. I don’t run my business because I love funnels, I do it to help people become unstoppable.”
Accomplishment
Progress is power. But if you don’t celebrate it, your brain forgets it happened. Celebrate the tiniest micro wins because they’re all progress and steps in the right direction.
Here’s how to build momentum that lasts:
Stop moving the goalpost
Set big goals, but celebrate every step. Momentum builds in the micro.
Track progress your way
Money is just one metric. Try energy, peace, boundaries, or joy.
Create a success ritual
Fridays? Review wins. High-five the mirror. Toast your progress. Whatever feels good.
“What you celebrate, you multiply.”
You Don’t Owe Anyone Your Burnout
Happiness is not optional. It’s essential. It makes you more productive. More profitable. More magnetic. And frankly, more you.
So whether it's booking that trip, buying the damn car, or finally getting the tattoo, do the thing. You’re not here forever.
This week, choose one PERMA pillar. Apply one tip. Watch what shifts.
Then go listen to the full Master Your Business Podcast episode and take the next step toward building a business that feels as good as it performs.
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Keep mastering your business.
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“Great insights on getting noticed in the market
Deirdre does a great job of helping understand best marketing and business strategies with a easy to understand and entertaining podcast.
Education in your ears.”
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