Founder burnout is a real problem that many startup founders suffer from. The difficulty of launching can cause it, or it may happen after years of working on your business. No matter what the cause, there are ways to beat founder burnout and get back to work. This article will explore proven strategies for beating founder burnout and getting back into the game.
Make sure you are raising enough money
There is nothing worse than being strapped for cash. If this happens to your startup, it can be hard to get motivated. One of the main things that keep entrepreneurs going when they are in a rut or suffering from burnout is having some amount of funding left in their bank account, so they know there will be some time before they need to start looking for their next job. If you are running low on cash, it is a good idea to think about your burn rate and figure out if you can cut back somewhere or raise more money in the short term while you get things sorted out.
Build momentum
The difficulty of launching can cause burnout. If you are having trouble getting your product out to customers, it may seem like an impossible task and cause you to lose interest in pushing forward with your startup. The key is finding ways that will build momentum for your company or give yourself some win along the way. Even if the win is small, you’ll feel better about yourself and your business, motivating you to keep going.
Seek outside help
Sometimes it is hard to put your finger on what exactly is causing you problems. There are a lot of different reasons why founders suffer from burnout, and sometimes one problem isn’t the cause but rather an early sign that there’s something deeper about your startup experience that needs work. If this sounds like you, make sure you seek out outside help to see if they can identify the root of your founder burnout.
Figure out what motivates you
Every founder is unique and has different motivations that drive them to work hard. If you are here reading this article, then it probably means there is some financial compensation in the back of your mind – but for most founders, money doesn’t equal motivation! Think about why you got into entrepreneurship and try to figure out why you are still working hard to succeed in your startup.