In my ongoing conversations with small business owners across Singapore, one challenge I continually hear is: “There is too much to do, and never enough time”.
This isn’t a complaint; it’s a genuine capacity crunch. Running a small business means continually juggling an endless list of seemingly impossible priorities – everything from revenue, HR, marketing and operations, to high-level strategy. The list is never-ending. As a former small business owner myself, I can tell you firsthand that when daily demands take over, those crucial, big-picture goals inevitably get sidelined.
This also means that often we’re running so fast that we neglect to recognise and celebrate all that we have already achieved. Our recent research reveals just over half (54%) of Singapore business owners feel they have actually achieved a significant milestone in the past year, yet nearly a quarter (23%) haven’t celebrated a win in over three years.
The business owners I see who are truly thriving, not just surviving, share a common theme: they make time to celebrate milestones. They’ve made a critical shift from working harder to working smarter, which gives them the time and mental space needed to honour their achievements.
This pivot is intentional. It’s built on three core, practical steps that enable them to strategically reclaim time, reconnect with their purpose, and build a genuinely sustainable business.
Leverage Technology to Reduce Admin Work
Successful business owners don’t get more hours in a day, they’re simply intentional about how they use them. If an owner feels stretched, the first question is: Where am I and my team actually spending our time? For many, it’s manual data entry, chasing invoices, reconciling accounts or tracking stock.
These tasks don’t need an owner’s expertise, and every hour spent on them is time taken away from strategy, customers or growth.
Digital tools, like cloud accounting can change that. Automated invoicing removes the need for back-and-forth emails. Integrations reduce errors and double-handling. Real-time data lets leaders make decisions with confidence instead of guesswork. And the end result is, they get meaningful hours back each week.
For anyone unsure where to begin, start small. Pick the biggest time drain, adopt one tool to fix it, build confidence, and scale from there.
Celebrate Milestones to Boost Performance
With endless to-dos, celebrating wins can feel indulgent — especially in Singapore, where 30% of owners worry about the cost. But Xero’s research shows the opposite. Businesses that celebrate milestones see 30% revenue growth, compared to 19% for those that don’t.
Celebrations lift morale, fuel motivation and support wellbeing, which are all essential for high-performing teams.
Take Karina Cady, founder of Nandina REM. She describes her “made-it moment” as holding their first piece of reclaimed carbon fibre: “I was so overwhelmed, I couldn’t believe we went out and did this.” That feeling still anchors her team today.
Celebrations don’t need to be expensive. A simple team lunch, business wide call out or shared moment of recognition can go a long way. What matters is acknowledging progress and reminding people that the work has purpose.
Build Strong Connections (The Power of the Collective)
Small business owners who thrive long-term rarely do it alone. Running a business can be lonely, every decision carries weight, and many challenges feel new or uncertain. It’s easy to think you need to navigate it all yourself.
But connection is a critical advantage. In Xero’s research, 81% of businesses say that celebrating milestones helps them manage tough economic periods, and that’s because celebration is rooted in community. It’s about recognising your team, your supporters, and the people who help you push through.
The most resilient owners build intentional support systems: peer networks, trusted advisors, industry groups and technology partners. Even small steps, like joining a local business group or grabbing coffee with another owner, create relationships that give back over time.
Final Takeaway: Their Business Should Serve Their Life
The business leaders who stand out are the ones who’ve built sustainable companies that deliver both financial results and a sense of purpose. They use technology to reclaim time for strategic thinking. They celebrate progress to stay connected to their mission. They cultivate broad networks that offer support, advice and fresh perspective.
These aren’t nice-to-haves, they’re the foundations of lasting success. And in Singapore, where small businesses drive the economy, choosing to work differently rather than simply harder makes all the difference.
Start small. Be intentional. And to all business owners, remember that your business should serve your life, not consume it.
About the author
Koren Wines, Managing Director, Asia, Xero, is responsible for driving Xero’s growth in Asia, working closely with leading financial institutions and governments in the region to bring value to the small business and partner community.
Koren joined Xero as senior partner marketing manager in 2017, establishing Xero’s global sales enablement function, and has since held other global leadership positions at Xero. Before joining Xero, she was chief operating officer at DCCS Australia.
