Founder burnout: Is it inevitable?

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This week we’re quoting…

Brad Feld (Co-Founder of Foundry Group)

What Feld said: 

“The only way I survive the dark periods is by constantly renewing myself and my perspective. Starting over is part of the process of starting up.”

Founders burn fast 

These words from Feld come from his Inc. column. We read the article all the way back in 2013, and we didn’t forget it; because Feld was reflecting (very candidly) on his personal experiences with burnout and depression during intense startup phases. 

The people who build their own startups usually aren’t the kind of people who’ll sit and gaze out of the window all day, or take a long weekend to unwind. It takes a passionate, driven person to take an idea and turn it into a business – but that same drive can lead to serious mental health challenges. 

Pressure, long hours, and intense responsibility can take its toll. But acknowledging all of this is the first step towards addressing it. 

At LEAP, we’re dedicated to supporting entrepreneurs. We think you’re amazing – and you’re the beating heart of innovation in tech. But because we think you’re amazing, we also need to send you a reminder now and then to take a step back and look after yourself. 

What are the signs of burnout? 

Burnout shows up in all kinds of different ways, from chronic fatigue and insomnia to feelings of detachment and decreased motivation. 

It's more than just occasional stress; it's a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged and excessive stress.

In an interview with Times of India, Ghazal Alagh (Shark Tank Judge and Co-founder at Mamaearth) spoke about the importance of mental health for entrepreneurs.

“As founders, we're expected to be clear-headed,” she said; “but we rarely talk about what it takes to get there. We all know how to manage a business. But how many of us know how to manage our mindspace?” 

The first step to managing our emotional and psychological well-being is being able to recognise when things aren’t going well. 

Create your own strategies to protect against burnout 

Only you understand your individual needs. We all have our own baselines for calm, and tipping points for stress – but there are things that everyone can do to protect against burnout and look after our mental health. 

Strategies might include…

• Setting boundaries
  That might mean setting specific work hours, taking regular breaks, and making you dedicate time to non-work activities on a regular basis. Having a work phone is a really good idea, so you can switch it off when you’re not working and not be constantly on call.

• Building a network of support
  Starting a tech business comes with unique challenges. So you need a support network that understands those challenges. That might be a mentor, a therapist, a team that you know you can delegate to – but remember that you can’t (and shouldn’t) do everything on your own.

• Moving your body
  It seems too obvious to say – but we know founders forget to look after their physical health when they’re deep in building-mode. Keep exercising, keep eating properly, get some sleep.

• Mindfulness and reflective practices
  Meditating or practising mindfulness in day-to-day life can help you stay present in the moment, and not get too caught up in the future. And other reflective practices like journaling or just going for a walk can help you manage stress and maintain focus.

• Delegating and trusting your team
  Learning to delegate tasks and trust team members or contractors to do that work can lift the pressure off your shoulders. You can’t handle all the moving pieces on your own. And effective delegation (the kind where you actually step back and don’t micro-manage) brings the dual benefit of empowering your team, and making them feel valued.

It’s your business – so you can choose to build a sustainable work culture 

You’re the founder. You’re the boss. So it’s up to you – if you want to build a sustainable work culture that leaves room for people to be well and feel good, you can do that. 

An environment that prioritises mental health benefits everyone; including you, but also your future employees. 

Encourage open conversations about well-being and develop flexible work patterns that give everyone space to chill out. And in your startup, cultivate awareness of the signs that someone might be struggling with their mental health; and processes to acknowledge and address those signs. 

Burnout doesn’t have to be inevitable 

The tech industry moves fast, and it’s loaded with pressure. But we don’t have to accept that burnout is an inevitable side effect of being a passionate, ambitious, conscientious founder – we can change that story ourselves. 

Make starting over a part of your startup strategy. 

With awareness and support, you can build a business without burning out. Taking care of your mental health shouldn’t be a luxury; and in reality, it’s a necessity if you want to be successful long-term.

Entrepreneurs and founders, we want to hear from you 

We want to know what you do to look after your mental health while you’re building a startup.

Have an idea for a topic you'd like us to cover? We're eager to hear it. Drop us a message and share your thoughts.

Catch you next week,
The LEAP Team