5 Ways Startup Founders Can Prevent Burnout

Establishing a startup in today’s highly competitive business environment isn’t easy.

Aside from making daily decisions that can make or break their company, startup founders must also constantly deal with limited resources.

No wonder many startup founders experience burnout.

Burnout severely hampers your physical and mental health, decision-making abilities, and ultimately, the success of your business.

Thus, startup founders must establish a better grip on burnout to succeed in this crucial phase of their business.

Here are some ways other founders handle stress while managing their startups.

Prioritize Self-Care

Due to the demanding nature of running a startup, many founders often neglect their well-being.

One way startup founders can prevent burnout is by incorporating self-care into their daily routines.

Doing so helps you regain your strength and improve your resilience.

Examples include exercising before or after work hours, getting seven to nine hours of sleep at night, and eating a balanced diet. Even simply taking breaks while working helps relieve stress and improves your focus throughout the day.

Foster Your Identity Outside of Work

A common mistake some founders make is tying their self-worth to their business’ success.

This causes unnecessary pressure to succeed, causing you to treat setbacks as personal failures rather than as the inevitable challenges they are.

Additionally, intertwining your identity with your business causes you to make rash decisions based on emotions rather than data, with potentially disastrous results.

Instead, cultivate a life outside of your startup. Take time to indulge your hobbies, spend time with your loved ones, and reflect on who you are beyond your business.

Doing so promotes a healthier work-life balance and makes you more resilient when facing challenges.

Learn to Delegate and Build a Supportive Team

No man is an island, especially if you’re running a business.

A competent and effective support team lightens your workload and frees you up to focus on things that only you can do to grow your business.

First, identify which tasks you can- and should- delegate. 

Communicate your expectations clearly and offer the support they need to accomplish their tasks. 

That said, what if your team is already swamped with tasks? Or what if you can’t find the talent you need in your area?

For many startup founders, one solution is outsourcing their business needs to Filipino remote contractors. 

Typically, this means hiring virtual assistants like admin assistants or virtual personal assistants to handle your company’s critical yet routine tasks. 

It should be noted, however, that Filipino VAs often have other useful skills you can use to grow your business.

Set Realistic Goals for Yourself

There’s nothing wrong with setting ambitious goals for your startup. It motivates you to work hard and provides a clear direction for your business.

While ambition is great to propel your startup forward, many founders make the mistake of going overboard with their goals.

Thus, startup founders can prevent burnout by setting clear and realistic goals. Use the SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound) criteria to help you create more realistic and achievable goals.

Additionally, break down large and long-term tasks into smaller, more manageable ones so you won’t feel so overwhelmed. Remember to acknowledge and celebrate milestones, no matter how small, to boost your team’s morale and motivation.

Find a Support Group

Being a startup founder can be a lonely experience.

Not everyone will be receptive to your ideas and many founders struggle to communicate the challenges they encounter even to close friends and family.  

This loneliness can take a toll on an entrepreneur’s mental health and lead to other health problems later on.

To avoid this, find and join peer groups and forums where you can share your challenges and find support from other founders. This helps mitigate your loneliness and reminds you that you’re not alone in your struggles.

Growing Your Startup Without Burning Yourself Out

Many founders experience burnout early on due to the pressures of running a startup. This can be disastrous as it can kill their business before it has a chance to succeed.

Fortunately, by following the tips above, startup founders like you can prevent burnout and focus on growing your business.

Looking for skilled virtual assistants to help you manage your day-to-day operations? 

Click here to see our full list of candidates for this and other roles like data entry clerks and virtual receptionists. Good luck!