Every entrepreneur will tell you that startup life is demanding. From client meetings to admin, it never really stops. But when life throws unexpected curveballs, from health crises to personal losses, many entrepreneurs find themselves at risk of startup burnout.
Knowing how to recover during challenging times, without sacrificing wellbeing, is an essential life skill and it is extra important for entrepreneurs working towards long-term success.
In this article, we explore practical strategies for navigating life’s ups and downs while avoiding burnout. We hope that you find encouragement and practical advice that helps you on your journey.
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The Harsh Reality of Entrepreneurship
From the outside, entrepreneurship can look like a fun adventure. You get to be your own boss, make your own hours, and take control of your life. And while all of that can be true, there are equally hard realities to running your own business.
For example, entrepreneurs often feel pressure from all sides – it’s up to them to make hard decisions. This can lead to long working hours, isolation, and feeling overwhelmed by responsibility. With few people to share their struggles with, these burdens can become overwhelming.
When major life events occur, such as illness, bereavement, relationship breakdowns, or even medical procedures like pregnancy termination, entrepreneurs can feel the pressure to power through and do it all. This never leads anywhere good and can cause the downfall of even the best business entrepreneurs. In fact, over 90% of start ups fail within the first five years. So, you must be proactive.
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How to Protect Entrepreneur Wellbeing
When you’re an entrepreneur and life hits hard, you can’t always stop work and take a break. So, you have to put protective measures in place that will give you the necessary space to recover, without letting your responsibilities spiral.
Here are some practical tips you can take action on, that will help you in your recovery:
Give Yourself Space to Heal
After a difficult life event, many entrepreneurs feel the drive to jump straight back into work. But this is often counterproductive. True recovery begins when you give yourself the necessary space to heal. This might be just a few days, weeks, or more. But rest is critical.
There are a few ways you can give yourself time and space to heal, including:
Clearly communicating your needs to co-founders and your wider team
Setting expectations early so you don’t feel pressured to rush back to work prematurely
Staggering your return to work and easing yourself back into working life
Giving yourself time and space to heal is important and will help you recover properly before launching back into work.
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Rebuild Your Routine with Non-Negotiables
Once you feel ready to properly return to work, it’s best to avoid jumping straight back into long, tiring days. Instead, establish a wellbeing-first routine. This means building wellbeing practices into your routine that are non-negotiable, such as:
Daily exercises – even a short walk can reduce cortisol levels, improving clarity
A well-balanced diet – fuel your body with the right nutrients to sustain your energy
Enough sleep – aim for consistent sleep cycles to support cognitive function and recovery
Human connection – talk to a family member, friend, or therapist regularly
Building these non-negotiables into your routine will provide you with a helpful structure during challenging times. It will also help mitigate entrepreneur burnout.
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Delegate to Your Team
If you have a team, it’s important to delegate effectively. Entrepreneurs often wear multiple hats, so the instinct to do everything yourself can be strong. However, doing it all is a recipe for startup burnout, particularly when you are going through personal challenges.
Learning how to delegate effectively is an essential skill and will help you manage effectively during a difficult time. Here are a few questions you can ask yourself:
What tasks can I delegate internally?
Can I bring in freelance support temporarily?
Are there any responsibilities I can postpone in the meantime?
When boundaries aren’t set, burnout can thrive. Protecting your time and energy is important. It’s also part of leadership.
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Invest in Therapy or Coaching
Entrepreneurship can be a long, lonely road. Investing in relationships with people, such as therapists or coaches, who understand what you’re going through can be extremely rewarding, not to mention reassuring. Having the right support network can help you:
Process emotional life events
Rebuild your confidence
Protect yourself against burnout
Stay on track and accountable
Having the right support network can help bridge the gap between life’s challenges and the practical aspects of running your business. We all need someone to talk to – even successful entrepreneurs.
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Your Next Steps
If you’ve just experienced a challenging life event, you must prioritise your wellbeing. True recovery is about more than simply ‘getting back to normal’. It’s about creating a new kind of normal that prioritises sustainability over speed and pressure.
To set the stage for ongoing success, here are your next steps:
Block time out in your calendar for recovery and reflection. You need time to heal before you can move forward.
Create a wellbeing checklist with healthy daily practices that support your energy and focus
Consult with a therapist or coach to gain clarity and receive relevant support.
There is a famous quote from John C. Maxwell that perfectly summarises the importance of proactive recovery. We leave it with you in the hopes it provides drive and inspiration: “If you’re proactive, you focus on preparing. If you’re reactive, you end up focusing on repairing.”
Final Words
Entrepreneurship is an exciting – but often lonely – journey. A lot falls on your shoulders. Therefore, you must take proactive steps to protect yourself from overworking and burnout. While never nice, sometimes the challenges life throws at you are reminders to take a step back, slow down, and recalibrate. Then you can return to work with a healthier, sustainable approach.
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