From Spark to Scorched: Why Founders Burn Out

Tired of feeling like one wrong move could send your startup spiraling? Let's talk about building solid foundations for sustainable growth...

I think we'd all agree that the startup journey is a thrilling rollercoaster ride.?

Founders pour their hearts and souls into their ventures, fueled by passion and a relentless drive for success.? However, this very intensity can lead to a dark side: founder burnout.?

According to this year's Sifted recent survey

• 45% of Founders thought their mental health was ‘bad’ or ‘very bad’ at the moment.
• 85% said they’d?experienced high stress in the past year
• 75% said they’d had anxiety in the same period.
• 61% said they’d considered leaving their company
• 49% said they were considering doing so in the coming year.?

These statistics show a disproportionate number of founders are experiencing burnout during the growth phase of their business.?

So what's behind this troubling trend?

From Passion Project to Procedural Maze

The initial stages of a startup are often exhilarating.? Founders are laser-focused on innovation, chasing that elusive "aha moment."? But as the company scales, the focus shifts.? Operational systems, financial pressures, and team management become paramount.?

This shift can create a sense of disconnection for founders who miss the thrill of the early days.? The constant pressure to innovate that fueled their passion can be replaced by a stifling sense of routine.

The Founder Trap: Doing it All & Feeling Isolated

Founders often wear multiple hats, leading to an unsustainable workload.? The pressure to micromanage and the reluctance to delegate can lead to neglecting self-care and essential downtime.?

Chronic busyness takes a toll on emotional, mental, and physical well-being, pushing founders closer to burnout.? Furthermore, the fear of appearing weak or lacking control can prevent founders from seeking help.? This stigma surrounding mental health can exacerbate the problem, leaving founders feeling isolated and unsupported.

Warning Signs: The Burnout Cliff Edge

So, how can founders identify the warning signs of burnout before they fall off the cliff?? Self-awareness is key.? Emotionally resilient founders are attuned to their internal state and can recognize early signs like insomnia, increased agitation, or unhealthy coping mechanisms.

Here are some additional red flags to watch out for:

• Physical symptoms: Fatigue, headaches, changes in appetite
• Emotional signs: Irritability, cynicism, detachment, anxiety
• Behavioral changes: Increased isolation, neglecting work or personal responsibilities, substance abuse

I've experienced burnout as a Founder/CEO and have learned to accept that some days are just not worth fighting for in terms of my ability to work productively.

Every time I talk about the stresses of leadership with my clients, I remind them that there's a reason why the airline safety cards tell you to put your own oxygen mask on before helping others with theirs...

Remember, burnout isn't a badge of honor.? It's a sign that something needs to change.?

If you've been reading this, and it sounds like you, then send me a DM or book a call with me.

• Founders who prioritize self-care, delegate effectively, and build a strong support network - including mentors and trusted critical friends (my specialist area of support) - are far better equipped to navigate the growth journey without burning out.

What I've been doing this week

To be honest?? I've had more productive weeks...

All it takes is a bad night's sleep on a Sunday night - which, let's face it is one of the features rather than benefits that come with increasing maturity - and I'm little use to man nor beast, as my Nana used to put it.?

Once upon a time, I'd have tried to push through the tiredness and the general feeling of meh that comes with insomnia.? And I'd have been "productive" - but definitely not producing my best work ever...

I remember only too well how I felt when my daughter Ela finally slept through the night for the first time - and then repeated this feat for a whole week ????????? It was like my brain had freed itself from a cocoon of cotton wool, and I realised that sleep deprivation absolutely does have an impact on your ability to show up as the best version of yourself for your business, your team, and your clients...

So now I feel no shame in taking time to recover - and at least I've caught up on my reading (the newfound addiction to Mahjong Solitaire which fuels my brain's need for a shot of dopamine is another matter entirely however - hence my suggestion in the Golden Nugget below????)

What I'm Reading

This week, I've been delving into 3 books to explore the Founder Burnout problem in more depth:

• Stephen Shedletzky's Speak-Up Culture - When Leaders Truly Listen, People Step Up
• Mahendra Ramsinghani's The Resilient Founder - Lessons in Endurance from Startup Entrepreneurs
• Jennifer Moss's The Burnout Epidemic - The Rise of Chronic Stress and How We Can Fix It

Links will take you to the getAbstract authorised summaries or reviews.

Substacks worth subscribing to:? as promised, I've compiled a list of my must-read Substacks, which you can find here .

Three Pillars of Growth?? - 3 Things to Do This Week

Strategy: Schedule Personal "Strategic Shutdowns"

• Block Off Time: Plan, block out and then stick to dedicated "shut down" periods in your calendar. These should be a combination of entire days and shorter focused periods (no less than an hour though).
• Disconnect & Recharge: During these periods, completely disconnect from work emails, calls, and social media. Pursue activities that energize you, whether it's spending time in nature, exercising, or hobbies. This intentional downtime allows you to recharge and return with renewed focus.

Structure: Implement a "Just Do It" List

• Start Your Day Right: At the end of each workday, create a "Just Do It" list that prioritizes your three most critical tasks for the next day. Write these on a sticky note, leave it on your keyboard or monitor, and make sure you have the first hour of every working day blocked out to deal with these.
• Focus & Finish: Do not even think about opening your email or taking anything other than "the building is on fire" calls, until you've ticked the first of these off your list. This will help you focus on high-impact activities that move the needle forward.

Leadership: Prioritize Self-Care & Open Communication

• Schedule Self-Care Activities: Treat self-care like an important meeting. Block time for exercise, healthy eating, and getting enough sleep.
• Open Up About Mental Health: Foster a culture of open communication around mental health. Normalize taking breaks and seeking support. Consider group activities like meditation or mindfulness training to promote well-being for yourself and your team.

Wondering how stable your foundation for the Three Pillars of Growth?? is?? Find out with our FREE (and absolutely no obligation) Three Pillars Power Assessment??

I'll Leave You Now With These Golden Nuggets? ? ? ?

• This week's quote: "To prevent leadership burnout, it’s essential to find the meaning in our work. That feeling can ebb and flow…But if it feels permanently lost, our well-being can suffer." Jennifer Moss, The Burnout Epidemic
• Give it a try: Many Founders, myself included, have brains that crave dopamine and get a hit from solving puzzles and problems . From Candy Crush Saga to the NYT Crossword, all of us will have a time-sucking vampire that we turn to in the name of "switching off" or "relaxing"... But because most of them are device based, it's all too easy to a) lose track of time, and b) forget to be present for the people who mean most to us (very definitely guilty as charged, your honor ??). So this week, I'm recommending you install some kind of blocker on your phone, tablet and laptop to minimise the impact these have on your real life. I've just loaded AppBlock onto my phone, but Zapier have a great roundup of the best blockers here: https://zapier.com/blog/stay-focused-avoid-distractions/

I'm Carri Nicholson, The Leader Whisperer?,?and my mission is to ensure that early stage Founders have all the? tools, insights, and dedicated support across the core Three Pillars of? Growth?, to allow them to join the elite 5% of Founders who create sustainable, scalable businesses.? ??

What's your biggest growth challenge right now?

Tell me in the comments section and let's start the conversation!