If I Could Start Over as an Entrepreneur, Here’s the One Thing I Would Do Differently

When I first embarked on my entrepreneurial journey, I was 27. I was fuelled by passion, ambition, and an unwise belief that the only way to succeed was through pain and sacrifice.

The excitement of building something big and beautiful from the ground up fuelled my drive.

It felt like nothing could stop me.

So, I threw myself into the business with everything I had—my relationships, my money, my late nights, my early mornings—and, ultimately, my health.

I remember those long nights, staying up until the early hours of the morning with my business partner Yann, convinced that if we pushed harder, we could get ahead forever with CallPoint, our first startup—a fast-growing call centre business.

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The Reality Check

But here’s the reality I wish someone had told me, back then:

Success isn’t about how much you work; it’s about how well you work, and that means taking care of yourself along the way.

In those early days, my life was an endless cycle of stress. I felt like I was constantly racing against time, and the only way to win was to keep my foot on the gas pedal. But I was pushing myself way beyond my limits, ignoring all the warning signs until I finally hit a big wall.

Fellow entrepreneurs, in this 4th article of my LinkedIn newsletter Entrepreneurship Unleashed, I’m sharing the story of my burnout—and the hard-earned lessons I learned from it.

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On March 25, 2014, I Hit My Breaking Point

On that day, I’m at the office, buried under a mountain of work. Challenges seem endless, and stress is my constant companion. I haven’t exercised in weeks, nor had a proper night of sleep for a long time.

But I don’t even notice anymore. My mind is consumed by one obsession: my company’s performance.

Suddenly, I feel my body giving out.

Summoning what little strength I have left, I manage to take a few steps before calling out:

"Team, I don’t feel good. Call an ambulance!"

And then, I collapse. My arms and legs go numb, refusing to obey me. My colleagues rush to my side, their faces filled with panic.

I can barely breathe; each inhale is a struggle. A crushing weight presses down on my chest. I feel like I’m dying.

The ambulance rushes me to a public hospital. After a long, exhausting day of tests and exams, the doctors deliver their verdict: I’m in perfect health…

“But that can’t be right! I still struggle to breathe. I feel like a zombie!” I shout.

Desperate for answers, I check myself into a private hospital. I recount my day to the doctor there, detailing every moment. He listens carefully, then asks a single question that still sticks with me:

"Sir, I’m afraid I see more and more entrepreneurs just like you... Can you tell me about your business life?"

In that moment, everything clicks. I realize what I had been blind to all along: I was suffering from burnout. I had heard the term before, seen it in articles and the news, but I never thought it would happen to me.

But here it was, a word that finally explained the crippling exhaustion I felt.

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Burnout Can Strike Anyone—Even Those Entrepreneurs Who Think They’re Invincible

Burnout is the ultimate exhaustion that comes from pushing yourself beyond your limits. It’s like an overloaded circuit—burning out when too much power runs through it.

When burnout happened to me, I was a young entrepreneur, brimming with ambition. I thought I was invincible—unbreakable even.

But the truth is, I was just as vulnerable as anyone else. Our bodies have limits, and if you push them too hard, they'll push back.

On that day, my brain sent a message I couldn’t ignore anymore:

Stop. Slow down. You’re burning yourself out!

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Burnout is a Global Epidemic

Burnout is the invisible struggle of the 21st century. A survey by Deloitte found that 77% of respondents had experienced burnout at least once !

Yet, despite the alarming statistics, burnout remains a topic that many shy away from. There’s a stigma attached to it—many feel ashamed, thinking it makes them look weak.

In the business world, we’re conditioned to hide our struggles.

But here’s the thing: It’s okay for entrepreneurs to show vulnerability.

Admitting that we’re overwhelmed feels like admitting defeat. It feels like showing a crack in the armour, a sign that we’re not strong enough to handle the pressures of leadership. That’s one of the most insidious aspects of burnout—people suffer in silence.

As for me, I’ve chosen a different path. I don’t shy away from sharing my story, even if it means exposing a vulnerable side of myself. I believe that by speaking openly about my burnout, I might help others recognize the signs before it’s too late.

If just one person avoids burnout after hearing my experience, then sharing my story is worth it. I encourage others to do the same—because vulnerability isn’t a weakness; it’s a way to connect and to help each other.

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Reassess Your Priorities, and Focus on What Gives You Energy

Recovering from burnout wasn’t easy. It took me six months to fully regain my strength and find a new balance in life. I had to make changes—in how I worked and how I lived. I also learned to set boundaries.

Since my burnout, I’ve developed four simple daily rituals that keep me balanced and focused despite the chaos:

1.???? Walking Meetings: They combine business with fresh air and movement, helping me stay zen, energized while sparking fresh ideas.

2.???? Listening to Nature: Whenever I feel overwhelmed, I put my headset on and tune into natural sounds—flowing rivers, rustling leaves, or rain. It’s a simple way to escape the rush and regain focus.

3.???? Daily Sports: Physical activity is a non-negotiable for me. Whether it’s a run or a workout, it helps clear my mind, boost energy, and keep me grounded. Plus, the endorphin boost doesn’t hurt.

4.???? Prioritizing Sleep: I've come to realize that rest is essential. Now, whenever I feel exhausted, I turn off my alarm clock and allow my body to wake up naturally, letting it recover at its own pace. If I sometimes wake up at 12:00, fine! It means my body needed rest.

These changes weren’t easy at first. It felt strange to slow down, to let go of the constant drive to keep moving. But over time, I realized that these adjustments didn’t just improve my health—they improved my work performance as well.

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Breaking the Myth of 'Get Out of Your Comfort Zone'

One of the most unexpected lessons I learned from my burnout is this: entrepreneurs should focus on the areas where they excel and that truly bring them satisfaction.

Like many entrepreneurs, I used to take on everything. But not all of those roles energized me. In fact, dealing with finance and operations often left me feeling drained and frustrated.

Instead, I found that when I focused on the aspects of entrepreneurship I truly enjoyed—including leadership, business development, networking and marketing—I was far more effective and happy. I could bring way more energy to the table. It’s a lesson that has fundamentally changed how I approach entrepreneurship.

A lot of business advice encourages us to "get out of your comfort zone" as the key to success. But I disagree. To me, that’s a myth.

Life is too short to spend your time on things that deplete you. I believe in leaning into your strengths, in spending your time doing what you love and what you’re good at. Whenever possible, delegate or entrust the parts of the business you dislike (and you're not good at) to your cofounders or team.

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Burnout Isn’t Something to be Ashamed of

I wish I had listened to my body’s signals sooner, but I’ve learned to appreciate the lessons that burnout has taught me.

Today, I prioritize a sustainable way of working, knowing that real business success is not about how many hours you put in, but about the quality of those hours.

It’s about finding the right balance between ambition and self-care, between achieving your goals and enjoying the journey along the way.

Since my burnout, I feel a sense of responsibility to share my story with others. If this LinkedIn article inspires just one person to take a step back and prevent burnout, then I’ll have fulfilled my mission.

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What Does Not Kill You Makes You...

There’s a popular saying: “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.”

But here again, I have to disagree. In the case of burnout, not everyone emerges stronger. Some even never fully recover!

So, this phrase doesn’t apply to burnout, nor to the many challenges we face, in entrepreneurship.

Instead, I believe setbacks have a different gift: wisdom.

Each setback in the world of entrepreneurship teaches us something invaluable. So, based on my experience, rather than saying “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger,” I always favour:

“What doesn’t kill you makes you wiser.”

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Takeaway:

If I could go back in time, the one thing I would change about my startup journey would be to prioritize my work-life balance to avoid burnout.

Yet, the truth is, I sometimes wonder—maybe I needed to go through that experience? After all, the resilient entrepreneur I am today was shaped, in part, by that struggle...

I’ll end this article with a thought that I hold close to my heart:

Don’t confuse having a business with having a life.

• What about you, fellow entrepreneurs?
• Have you ever faced burnout or felt on the verge of it?
• How do you prioritize your work-life balance today?

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My articles are intended for founders who aim to succeed while staying true to their values. Learn how to navigate the startup world, achieve impact-driven success, and become a leader who inspires others—without losing your soul and health along the way.