Taking Mental Health More Seriously As Entrepreneurs
Mental health is likely the most underrated factor that influences long-term business success. Personally, this is a topic near and dear to my heart. When I had a grip on my mental health and I thoughtfully navigated some of the issues I was having, my professional life was harmonious. In contrast, when I have ignored my mental health, my professional life suffered significantly.
A few useful tips I've found helpful for myself and many of the entrepreneurs I work with:
1. Ego & Narcissism - especially in tech and finance, these two issues are very pervasive. Most of the iconic entrepreneurs have these sorts of traits and I think consciously or subconsciously, everyone mirrors them, so this is no surprise. However, in almost all practical matters, being empathetic to the team, customers, investors, etc. proves to be a very dependable and effective approach to entrepreneurship. The world does not need any more "bold" and "courageous" founders that pursue their mission in way that creates a ton of collateral damage along the way. Be good to your people. Be humble. Talk less. Listen more. Even if the spotlight is always on you.
2. Depression - When you are in the trenches day in and day out, it sometimes results in depression. As an entrepreneur, you can either double-down on work or take a step back to try and alleviate your depression. Personally, I took the former approach for many years, which resulted in an extreme case of burnout. But as I've experimented over the years, I've found it can be as simple as taking a break, focusing on your physical fitness, and sharing your ups and downs with others, whether that includes friends, family, or even mentors.
3. ADHD or Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. While this condition is rooted in childhood, it is perhaps perpetuated and amplified by entrepreneurship. The pace, excitement, and thrill of entrepreneurship often times make it difficult to focus. Entrepreneurs sometimes feel the need to be multitasking at all times and the need for lots of stimulation all of the time. Of course, in the long-run, this is not sustainable. The hard about hard things, as Ben Horowitz says, is that ultimately you do have to focus. The simple guidance here is to do less, but by doing less, you will ultimately achieve more.
#mentalhealth #entrepreneurship #companybuilding #venturecapital