14-hour days? No problem. Here's how I do it (and still have a life)

And if you found that disturbing, know that this article will speak to you.

Running a startup is no walk in the park. It's a relentless grind, filled with long hours, endless meetings, and seemingly insurmountable challenges.?

As a co-founder, you're often the first one in and the last one out, juggling a million tasks at once. But how do you do it without losing your sanity?

I've been there. I've pulled all-nighters, skipped meals, and sacrificed my social life for the sake of my startup. But I've also learned a few things along the way that have helped me make it, and quite frankly, excel at it.

One of them is to prioritize ruthlessly.?

Every minute counts in a startup.?

You can't do everything, so you have to focus on what matters most. I like to use the Eisenhower Matrix to categorize tasks based on their urgency and importance. This helps me stay focused on what needs to be done.

Another key to success is to delegate whenever possible. Don't be afraid to let go of tasks that others can handle.

Now, I have to admit, that I used to be a bit of a control freak.

I wanted to do everything myself, from designing the website to writing the blog posts. But as our startup grew, I realized that I couldn't do it all. I was spreading myself too thin and it was affecting my mental health and professional time.

So, I started delegating tasks to my team. At first, it was hard to let go. I was worried that they wouldn't do things the way that I would normally do.?

To my surprise, I was wrong the entire time.?

They were not only capable of handling the tasks they had been assigned, but they also brought their unique perspectives and ideas to the table.

And what makes a better team than a few diverse ideas coupled together?

My breaking point

It's important to set boundaries. It's easy to get sucked into the vortex of work, especially when you're passionate about what you do. But it's essential to set boundaries and make time for yourself. Needless to say, you WILL burn out, otherwise.

One time, I was so caught up in work that I didn't leave my apartment for three days straight. I was feeling stressed, irritable, and completely unmotivated.?

I realized that I needed to take a break, so I booked a weekend trip to my favorite spot. It was just what I needed to recharge my batteries and come back to work feeling refreshed and ready to tackle anything.

But let's be real: when you're starting a startup, financial means can be limited. I remember those days when I was scrimping and saving, trying to make every dollar count. But I was determined to make it work.

Now if you’re like me, you’d know the importance of a good editing tool that speaks to the crowd.

I've been using Canva for a while then, mostly sticking to the free version. It's been incredibly helpful for creating everything from social media graphics to presentations. But I always felt like I was missing out on some of the premium features.

I'd considered upgrading to a paid subscription, but I was hesitant to spend the money. After all, the free version was already so powerful.?

But as our startup grew and our design needs became more complex, I realized that the premium features could really make a difference.

So, I finally decided to take the leap and invest in a Canva Pro subscription.?

And mind you, this isn’t an ad! I’m just very grateful that I took the right steps in the right direction.

But this wasn’t always easy.

One thing that kept me going was the support of my friends and family. They were always there to cheer me on, offer advice, and lend a listening ear.?

Their encouragement meant the world to me.

I also find it helpful to take short breaks throughout the day. It might seem counterintuitive, but taking a few minutes to step away from your desk can actually boost your productivity.

Ultimately, the main factor that kept me going was my passion for what I was doing. I believed in my startup and my team, and I was determined to make it a success. No matter how tough things got, I never lost sight of my vision.

Oh, and here’s my startup: OpenGrowth , if you haven’t caught up already!

What we do at OpenGrowth?

At OpenGrowth, we're all about connecting businesses with the top talent they need to succeed. We're building a platform that makes it easy for companies to find and hire fractional executives, so they can scale their businesses without the overhead of full-time employees.

In my next newsletter, I talk about why OpenGrowth and how I found a space here to build a business. Till then, stay tuned.

Eager to know about how OpenGrowth came to be? My next newsletter will reveal all. For now, comment and let me know about your journey.

Are you a startup owner??

Excited,

Akriti, Co-founder,

OpenGrowth