The lives of founders are often hectic and challenging, but no matter how easy it may seem on paper to simply slow down, it’s not always feasible in reality.
Running a business comes with a range of responsibilities. For many entrepreneurs, it’s all too easy to become obsessed with work and growing a company.
Instead of removing things from your routine, we propose adding new habits that can improve your mental health and make your daily routine easier to manage.
1. Stay organized to increase productivity
Organization is paramount to productivity, saving yourself hours every week, maximizing your time and increasing your influence within your company.
There are many strategies leaders can call upon to see what works best, including:
- The Pomodoro Technique: Divide work into 25-minute periods of intense concentration separated by short breaks (of usually 5-minutes).
- Time Blocking: Deep-focus work that allows you to dedicate blocks of time throughout your day to important tasks/meetings. This strategy helps leaders who find themselves multitasking.
- Software: Utilizing software will help keep yourself and your team on track, communicate efficiently, organize your calendar and fit more into every day.
Leaders should also set clear boundaries on their time so that they don’t fall into the habit of taking on more than they’re capable of realistically delivering.
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2. Sharing the burden
The attributes that make for great leadership—multi-tasking, forward-planning, and the ability to take control—can also create stress and overwork in leaders.
As Eduardo Greghi, CEO and Chairman of The Kusnacht Practice says, “You have to accept the fact that in the end, there is very little you can actually control. The only thing you can control is yourself. So you should use all your resources to improve. Try to be present, take care of yourself, your health, your sleep, your mental health, and give.”
Lean on your team for support during busy periods; they understand the business, they’re highly skilled at what they do and want to support you and the company in achieving goals and objectives. But it could also be worthwhile investing in professional therapy or attending rehab specifically designed for business leaders to relieve the impact of long-term stress and develop new coping techniques.
“No matter how fulfilling your mission or the caliber of your team, as leaders we need to confront the reality of burnout,” says Ben Camp, CEO of RehabPath “After visiting dozens of executive treatment centers around the world and seeing firsthand the effects of burnout as well as the importance of treating it, I was very motivated to pursue therapy myself in order to help maintain my passion for the work we are doing and my own mental health.”
3. Seek ‘awe’ moments daily
Inspiration can come from a myriad of sources but starting each day with a dose of awe-inspiring content can really set your day on a positive trajectory.
It can help to shift your perspective by challenging your understanding of the world and what’s possible. This might be in the form of a conversation with someone who inspires you, a mentor who brings out your creative side, or it might be in the form of one of the following mediums to kick off your day in the right way:
- A podcast
- Listening to an incredible TED talk
- Reading SHRM’s C-Suite’s Favorite Leadership Phrases
4. ‘Passion Development’
It’s all too easy for work to become the sole focus of your days when you’re leading a company. This is something that Dr. Philip Hemphill, PhD, Strategic Board Advisor at APN Lodge agrees with, explaining that “Founders are not immune to burnout, difficulties with stress management, risk factors that impact functioning, or the need for mental health services. […] Having to be ‘on all the time’ doesn’t allow protective factors to be strengthened and an authentic self to be recognized”.
It’s beneficial to your mental health to tap into other interests and develop hobbies in areas unrelated to your job to give your mind time to switch off. But you should also embrace the beauty of doing nothing.
Meditate, enjoy periods of silence, or simply take time to get outdoors and enjoy a change of scenery.
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5. Build a support network
Pursuing your passion in business requires a lot of energy, but it leaves you more susceptible to burnout and mental health problems. In fact, in the 2023 Global Leadership Forecast report, signs of burnout are growing among leaders, with 72% reporting that they often feel used up at the end of the day, an increase from 60% in 2020.
Leaders need to invest as much time building their social support systems and personal relationships as they do in their work and identifying toxic relationships that could be emotionally draining.
Many leaders find that the further up the career ladder they go, the lonelier they feel, so taking time to build a support network is essential to good mental health and happiness.
6. Make the most of rituals
One way to boost your mental health while also telling your mind that it’s time to switch off is to “Let others take charge outside of the office, and find joy in letting others lead.” says Ryan Drzewiecki, PsyD, LP, Director of Clinical Operations and Programs at APN Lodge. “Find a symbolic way to take off your executive hat at the end of the day: take a power nap, jump in the shower, play a song at top volume. Hit that reset button so you can leave work behind.”
Something that many successful leaders utilize is a nightly routine to send a signal to their body and mind that it’s time to wind down. Maybe that’s reading, spending quality time with loved ones, doing yoga, or listening to music.
Indulging in a symbolic routine can benefit your mental health, allowing you to focus on other priorities, and signaling to your body to relax.
Final thoughts
Leadership is incredibly fulfilling, but it’s not without its many challenges, and that can be detrimental to your mental health if you don’t take proper precautions. With these tips, you can structure your day more effectively, boosting productivity, easing stress and reducing the risk of burnout.
Image by wayhomestudio on Freepik
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