"I woke up in a clean room, my face touched by the sun's rays. Outside the window, lush trees swayed. I felt an indescribable calmness in my soul". So the founder began the story of his burn-out.
Burnout is akin to a company going bankrupt, when the debtor is unable to fulfill his (or her) obligations to the creditor.
The founder borrows energy from nature and "forgets" to return it. Alcohol, nicotine, amphetamines, and of course, the whip of willpower come into play.
A entrepreneur I know would fuel himself with excess coffee every morning and couldn't slow down without a glass of whisky to help him fall asleep at night.
Artificial stimulation is somewhat understandable when it comes to one-off stress, such as attracting an investment round or a shareholder conflict.
But "revving up" for years is like eating one's own flesh. One day, the body will rebel and stage a palace coup.
This is how the founder loses willpower, adaptability, and interest in business.
Sometimes wise Nature silences the mind by having the body hospitalized.
What is the way out? Reassessment of values, disciplining and building habits.
Just like filling the gas tank halfway in a car instead of waiting until it hits empty.
Yours sincerely,
-Alexander
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