Founder Burnout
Also called Burnout
The state of chronic exhaustion, cynicism, and reduced effectiveness from prolonged stress and overwork. Common among founders given the intensity and stakes of building a company.
Why it matters
Burnout is not a badge of honor, it degrades judgment and can sink both founder and company. Recognizing and preventing it, sustainable pace, support, boundaries, is part of building a company that lasts.
For example
After a year of 90-hour weeks, a founder's judgment and health decline, and they finally set boundaries before it sinks both them and the company.
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Related terms
Also in Starting Up
See how founders actually handle this on Co-founders, team and legal, part of the Starting Up hub.
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