Burnout isn't just hitting employees; it's hitting business owners and entrepreneurs, according to a recent article in the Business Journals. I can’t even begin to imagine how crazy it’s been for start-ups these past couple of years. I remember when I started my company, there were many sleepless nights thinking about how I was going to be able to turn my start-up into a successful company and maintain some semblance of sanity in the process. Now, these entrepreneurs have had a pandemic thrown on top of that.
Entrepreneurs naturally have to wear many hats in their businesses, and the pandemic just added one more. Adding to this pressure are the unrealistic expectations put on entrepreneurs from unicorn Silicon Valley start-ups. With all this pressure to succeed, mental health is often pushed to the side. Sadly, suicides and other mental health disorders among entrepreneurs are becoming more prevalent. How can we build successful companies if we aren't well? But then the question becomes: Which came first, the chicken or the egg? Is the career path of entrepreneurship causing more mental health problems, or are people with mental health problems more attracted to a life of entrepreneurship?
Whatever the case may be, I'm certainly not trying to discourage entrepreneurs from starting their businesses. I merely wish to say to entrepreneurs: you're not alone, don't be afraid to get help, and stop comparing yourselves to those unicorns.