Have you ever burned out working on a startup?

Irina Ivashchinenko
30 replies
Please share your experience!

Replies

Vikram Aditya
1 outing every 2 weeks, 1 weekend getaway every 2 months and 2 week-long breaks in a year is what keeps me sane!
Irina Ivashchinenko
@viks_rum It is necessary to rest! I don't understand founders who say they work seven days a week.
Moin Shaikh
I believe there are rarely anyone running or working at a startup who hasn't felt burned out at least once. I have been through it and based on my experience of nearly 1 decade with startups, I conclude one of the most common reasons for burn out is our so-called "move fast, break things" stereotype mentality. We often forget that we are humans and we need break. My mentor once gave me a golden advice about dealing with stress and burn out at startups: "The startup journey is a rollercoaster; don't forget to fasten your mental health seatbelt."
Irina Ivashchinenko
@moingshaikh This is super true! Most founders think that if they don't take a break, they'll be successful quickly.
Daniel Zaitzow
@moingshaikh Love that insight!
Steve Lou
yes it was mostly infused with he frustration of not being able to make it. And I was blaming myself too much for it. Now I take things with more philosophy
tyler malin
At some point an undercapitalized team, working long hours with a lot of pressure on executing will burn out. I find that creating the ability to block time across my schedule to maintain focus, and having a simple system of communicating expectations, tasks and allowing for accountability is key.
Lera Shulga
Definitely yes. It was one of my previous jobs. And the worst part is that it took me about 1,5 years to recover:(
Irina Ivashchinenko
@shulga_lera Wow! And if not a secret, why did it take so long to recover?
Lukas deConantsesznak
Definitely! I think most normal humans experience burnout working in startups. I was recently working nights and weekends for a couple months straight to get out some important deliverables. I think the important thing with burnout is to notice when it's starting to happen, and get ahead of it by setting aside time for yourself to recharge and unplug from the project/startup.
Irina Ivashchinenko
@lukas_deconantsesznak I agree, it is important not to miss the moment when you are already starting to burn out.
Lukas deConantsesznak
@iren_ivashchinenko right! I think most people do not realize they are burning out until it becomes a little severe!
Karsten Richter
Nope. My family is priority #1 and helps me keep a healthy perspective on the startup.
Irina Ivashchinenko
@karsten_picasi This is very cool. It's a pity that not all founders understand that family is important.
Karsten Richter
@iren_ivashchinenko It doesn't have to be family, thought. I believe that a dog that forces you out or hobbies like singing in a choir with other people can help keeping the balance too.
Nick from FirstHR
I burned out very badly in one project when I realized that everyone except me did not care about the result.
wen
Yes, I have experienced burnout while working on a startup. As a designer, I often find myself working long hours, juggling multiple projects, and constantly pushing myself to meet tight deadlines.
James McElroy
My last co-founder and I were not a match. Everyday work was so laborious by the end of it because we did not enjoy working together
Irina Ivashchinenko
@james_mcelroy4 Unfortunately, this is often the case. Are you solo now?
Philipp Shay
Yes! It was once. Bad times 🧐
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Irina Ivashchinenko
I will begin. I once worked at a startup whose team constantly changed plans. Therefore, a massive part of my work was often thrown away. I just burned out and left the company a few months after that roller coaster. So now I myself put things in order in our team. 😃
Govind Mohan
@iren_ivashchinenko Same but I stuck around for 3 years :( took me quite a bit to recover
Oleg Eltsov
I think at least once, but everyone is burned out.
Mujadad Naeem
Yes, and I think it's natural. However, it's an entirely different experience if you're working in a non-expertise based startup. I was constantly facing challenges because my background wasn't in tech but I had to launch a tech product. The upside however is that it teaches you so much, and you explore something new automatically.