034. Maintaining Your Well-being as a Startup Founder

“I have learned that as long as I hold fast to my beliefs and values — and follow my own moral compass — then the only expectations I need to live up to are my own.” —THE Michelle Obama

Welcome to The Unconventional Founder, where we dive deep into the unpolished, real, and often wild journey of building a startup from scratch. Forget the glossy stories of Ivy League diplomas and cushy Wall Street gigs – my story is about grit, hustle, and the occasional hip-hop playlist to keep the energy high.

If you’re running a startup, chances are you’ve heard all the usual advice about maintaining your well-being: meditate, exercise, sleep more. All solid tips, but let’s be real—sometimes the "founder grind" doesn’t exactly align with a 6 AM yoga routine or eight hours of sleep. So, if you're like me—running on caffeine, ambition, and sheer stubbornness—let's look at some more practical ways to keep it together when your startup is pulling you in 15 directions at once.

1. Block Time for Boring Stuff

We love the rush of the big decisions, the hustle of launching a new feature, or pitching a client, but you know what gets neglected? The boring stuff: admin tasks, email catch-up, or—let’s be honest—your personal well-being. I used to think the little things like grocery shopping or sorting out insurance could wait, but it’s those tasks that creep into your mental space when you least expect them.

The tip: Block an hour a week for "life admin." Whether it’s Tuesday afternoons or Sunday mornings, commit to this time just like you would for any investor meeting. It clears mental clutter and keeps you on track, so you don’t wake up at 2 AM stressed about renewing your driver's license. Seriously, sleep matters.

2. Gamify Self-Care

Remember when we used to unlock levels in video games or earn achievements in "Donkey Kong"? What if you applied that same concept to your well-being? A recent hack I’ve been procrastinating on implementing is treating self-care like a game. For every task you complete, whether it’s taking a walk, drinking water, or closing your laptop by 9 PM, you give yourself points. Rack up enough points, and boom—you earn a reward (a night out, a new gadget, or even just a guilt-free Netflix binge).

The key here isn’t perfection, it’s progress. You’re not aiming for flawless habits every day, but if you can make self-care something you want to win at, it shifts from a chore to a challenge. And we all know founders love a good challenge.

3. Master the Art of the 5-Minute Recharge

We’ve all heard about hour-long breaks, but let’s face it—when you’re in the zone, or a crisis lands in your inbox, an hour is a luxury you just can’t afford. Enter the 5-minute recharge. It’s about finding micro-moments to reset. Some founders swear by power naps, but I’m more into quick hits of inspiration. I’ll watch a 5-minute motivational clip on YouTube, play an old-school 90s track, or step outside for some fresh air and deep breaths.

These mini-breaks might seem small, but they stack up. When you can’t find an hour for a full recharge, five minutes is better than nothing—and it’s amazing how much clearer you’ll feel after.

4. Create a “Decompression Zone”

Now, here’s something I never thought I’d say: boundaries are your best friend. I don’t mean that in the usual self-help sense where you cut people off for "toxic vibes"—I’m talking physical space. When you’re working from home, or an all-in-one coworking spot, it's easy for work and life to blur together. So, I’ve created a “decompression zone,” a place that’s off-limits to any work.

For me, it’s a corner in my bedroom with a vintage armchair. No email, no Slack notifications. Just a little space that reminds me of who I am outside of being a founder.

The goal isn’t to spend hours there, but even 20 minutes a day in that zone can make a world of difference. It resets your brain and lets you breathe.

5. Bring in Your “Well-being Co-Founders”

One of the best hacks? I don’t do it all alone. Just like you need a co-founder or a solid team for your business, you need well-being co-founders. I’m not talking about hiring a life coach (unless that’s your vibe)—I mean tapping into your personal circle.

Find a friend who’ll hold you accountable for getting some downtime or that family member who makes sure you’re actually eating real food and not just takeout every night. Whether it’s a weekly check-in or just someone who drags you out for a movie night, having people around who care about your well-being will keep you grounded. After all, no founder is an island.

6. Redefine Productivity

We’re all about productivity, right? But what if we’ve been measuring it the wrong way? Traditional productivity metrics focus on hours worked or tasks completed, but here’s the thing: Your output doesn’t matter if you’re constantly running on empty. Real productivity is sustainable.

I used to push myself to the brink, thinking long hours equaled success, but it’s not sustainable. Instead, I’ve shifted to tracking energy, focus, and creativity. Those are the real indicators of how much I can achieve. If you’re running on fumes, take a step back and ask yourself: Am I truly being productive, or am I just busy?

Final Thoughts

It’s easy to get caught up in the grind, especially when you’re building something from scratch. But your well-being isn’t something you can put on the backburner. Take it from someone who’s been in the trenches: finding simple, practical ways to maintain your mental and physical health will keep you in the game longer. After all, no startup can survive if the founder burns out.

Stay tuned, stay inspired, and let's rewrite the startup playbook together. Subscribe now and join the journey. #TheTakeover.