Being a founder or CEO is a job like no other. The stakes are high, the pressure is constant, and the boundaries between work and life are often non-existent. Burnout isn’t just a possibility; it’s an occupational hazard. And when you’re the one steering the ship, you need to look after yourself!
How To Avoid Burnout?
1. Stop Wearing “Busy” as a Badge of Honour
Being busy doesn’t mean you’re being effective. In fact, constant busyness usually means you’re operating tactically, not strategically. If your calendar is wall-to-wall with meetings and firefighting, it’s worth asking: What am I actually moving forward?
What to do:
Start with ruthless prioritisation. Eliminate vanity tasks, automate what you can, and delegate properly — not just in name. You’re there to make high-leverage decisions, and do the things only you can do – not manage to-do lists.
2. Build In Recovery Time — Not Just Time Off
Time off doesn’t mean anything if you’re mentally still at work. And no, squeezing in a half-hearted weekend away where you’re still checking in with the team doesn’t count.
What to do:
Plan recovery with intention. Create space where your brain can unplug — completely. That might be early-morning gym sessions, a quarterly solo retreat, or simply blocking out “deep work” or “no-meeting” time that’s non-negotiable.
3. Don’t Isolate Yourself — Build a Proper Support Network
It’s lonely at the top if you let it be. But isolation is a choice. You don’t have to vent to your team, but you do need people who get it. Whether that’s an executive coach, or trusted advisor, the right conversations can shift your entire mindset.
What to do:
Get in the room with people who challenge your thinking and aren’t afraid to call out your blind spots. Regular, structured check-ins with someone external to your day-to-day can be game-changing.
4. Control the Inputs
Most founders underestimate how much noise they’re exposed to. Endless emails, Slack and software pings, LinkedIn hot takes, board updates, investor expectations — it compounds.
What to do:
Set digital boundaries. Check emails in blocks. Mute non-critical notifications. Curate your information diet. Control what gets your attention, or it will be controlled for you.
5. Redefine What Success Looks Like
If your definition of success is always tied to some future exit, you’re setting yourself up for chronic dissatisfaction. That doesn’t mean lower your ambition — it means acknowledging that momentum and progress are wins in their own right.
What to do:
Measure your weeks by value created, not hours worked. Create moments of celebration — even for small wins — and stop chasing validation that never lands.
Final Thought
Burnout isn’t a sign of weakness. It’s often the result of building something meaningful at the expense of your own sustainability. But it’s preventable — if you’re willing to take yourself seriously as an asset. Because here’s the truth: your business needs a sharp, energised, and present leader.
Find out how executive and CEO coaching or business coaching could help.
