How Top Founders Can Combat Isolation and Navigate Stress

The entrepreneurial narrative often centres on success stories, but the reality of building a business is far from glamorous. 

As Brian Chesky (Founder, AirBnB) puts it here, “The journey might isolate you into this bubble that’s going to completely detach you from reality, and if you’re not careful, you can lose a sense of yourself.”

In the relentless pursuit of their vision, founders often immerse themselves completely in their startups. While relentless dedication propels companies forward, it frequently comes at a high personal cost. The drive to succeed can leave founders incredibly isolated. 

The Emotional Rollercoaster

Surveys like Christina Richardson's 2019 study confirm this trend, with "lonely" being a recurring theme. Even more concerning, a UC Berkeley study revealed that 72% of entrepreneurs report mental health struggles.

Imagine yourself as a founder – a high-wire walker balancing precariously above the ground. Your every decision carries the weight of your company's future, the livelihoods of your employees, and the trust of your investors. Unlike a traditional employee, there's no team to share the burden of ultimate responsibility. This isolating pressure amplifies challenges, making failures feel even more devastating.

Brave founders like Rand Fishkin (Moz) have opened up about their battles with depression and anxiety, reminding us that mental health struggles are a very real part of the entrepreneurial experience. 

Alex Turnbull, CEO of GrooveHQ, shares his own painful experiences with the crushing fear of failure and the stark loneliness of being a solo founder.

So, How Do You Combat This Isolation?

Here are some strategies to help you, as a founder, to boost your well-being:

1) Find Your Tribe

Reach out to other founders, whether it's joining an industry-specific mastermind group, attending local startup events, or connecting with a mentor who's been in your shoes.

Sharing experiences and insights creates a powerful sense of community.

This is precisely why Offline exists, to help founders be a part of something experiential and additive. A network you can lean on and have real conversations with peers who understand your journey, where your growth and wellbeing take centre stage.  

2) Prioritise Self-Care

It's easy to let this slip, but schedule non-negotiable breaks, eat nutritious meals, and get enough sleep. Consider exercise or meditation too – a healthy body supports a healthy mind.

Jitnedra Chouksey (founder, FITTR) shares how he gets his blood work and full body checkup done regularly, in order to inspire other entrepreneurs to not forget about their health.

3) Redefine Success

Don't just focus on some distant end goal.

Celebrate smaller milestones – landing a new client, closing a funding round, or even just launching a new feature. These wins boost your motivation and make the journey less daunting.

4) Hire a Coach

A great executive or business coach provides an objective perspective, holds you accountable, and is a fantastic sounding board for both challenges and ideas. Plus, it really helps to get out of your head and get an outsider perspective on complex situations.

5) Embrace Openness

Be open with your team about the challenges and wins along the way. Invite their input and collaboration. This builds trust and teamwork, easing the feeling that you're carrying it all alone.

6) Disconnect to Reconnect

Set boundaries and carve out specific times when you're fully disconnected from work. Whether it's evenings with family or a weekend getaway, step away from those notifications and recharge!

Dedicating a specific time to what you love each day, or at least weekly, frees up your mind from the everyday loop of analytical and higher EQ level thinking. Amit Das, the founder of Electric One Mobility, plays golf to soothe his mind and indulges in yoga to refocus. Sometimes freeing up 30 minutes a day with zero work and agenda also helps if other activities seem difficult.

At the end of the day, entrepreneurship is a lonely journey - there's no way around it. Being proactive about mental self-care, vulnerability, and work/life boundaries go a long way to help ensure the journey is fruitful and sustainable.