Building a business from the ground up is as exhilarating as it is exhausting. We at MFN know just how many tasks founders are juggling at any given time, and that it’s important to be proactive about preventing stress. Burnout is a predictable outcome of prolonged stress without enough recovery.
Here are five practical ways founders in the MFN community can prevent or bounce back from burnout:
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Build Breaks Into Your Routine
Founders often wait until they hit a wall before resting. Instead, schedule breaks the same way you schedule pitch meetings or product launches. That might mean:
- Blocking 90 minutes a week for uninterrupted time offline
- Taking a 10-minute walk between back-to-back Zooms
- Setting Slack to “Do Not Disturb” after 6 p.m.
Pro tip: Breaks are about creating intentional rest that helps restore energy.
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Delegate (Even If You Think You Can’t)
You can’t (and shouldn’t try to) do it all. Whether it’s to a freelancer, advisor, intern, or automation tool, offload recurring tasks to free up your time and mental space.
Not sure where to start? Make a “stop-doing” list of tasks that drain you and hand off one this week. You can also check our list of AI tools that MFN founders have recommended to help take things off your plate.
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Talk To Other Founders
Burnout thrives in isolation. Sharing challenges with people who get it can help you feel less alone and may provide solutions you hadn’t previously considered.
- Join a peer roundtable. MFN offers roundtable discussions for a variety of industries. Contact us to learn more.
- Attend a networking event. It doesn’t have to be a black-tie affair – even a local get-together is a great opportunity to hear new perspectives.
- Grab coffee with someone two steps ahead of you who can offer advice.
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Get Clear On Your “Why”
Burnout often hits hardest when your work feels disconnected from your purpose. Revisit a few key questions:
- Why did you start this venture?
- What impact do you want to have?
- What would success look like for you (not just for investors)?
Reconnecting with your mission can reignite motivation.
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Plan A Team “Field Trip”
When you try to solve a thousand problems at once, it can be difficult to remember to have a little fun while running your company. Taking your team out of the office for something unexpected can spark creativity, reduce stress, and help everyone reset.
- MFN teammate Natalia Giacomozzi recommends releasing some tension by smashing things. She notes that rentable “rage rooms” are a cathartic way to blow off steam, and many offer group discounts!
- Grabbing lunch together weekly is another (less intense) way to prevent burnout and bond with coworkers. Regular team lunches, even casual ones, create space for personal connection.
You’re Not Alone
Burnout is common, but it’s not inevitable. The MFN community is full of founders who’ve found ways to reset, recover, and move forward. Need support? Contact us and let us find what you need. Whether it’s connecting with one of the experts in our directory or sharing your experience with peers in a roundtable, MFN is here to help.
Are you working to find community and opportunity as a Massachusetts startup founder? Join MFN and get access to experts, networking opportunities, and connections within the statewide entrepreneur ecosystem.
