Burnout: A critical issue for female founders

As a coach supporting women entrepreneurs, I see firsthand the unique challenges they face. One of the most significant threats to their success and well-being is burnout. Recent studies indicate that female entrepreneurs are more prone to burnout compared to their male counterparts.

Let's explore what burnout is, how it affects female founders, and what can be done to prevent it.

What is burnout?

In our fast-paced world ‘burnout’ is a term used frequently but are we really clear about what the definition is?

The World Health Organization defines burnout as a syndrome resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed. It is characterized by three dimensions:

• feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion;

• increased mental distance from one’s job, or feelings of negativism or cynicism related to one's job; and

• reduced professional efficacy

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Recognising burnout in female founders

What this might look like in practice, is feeling like you can’t get up in the morning, resenting turning on the laptop, or missing deadlines, an inability to focus, indecisiveness and reduced problem solving ability.

There are many potential causes of burnout. These include unmanageable workloads and time pressure and lack of support. The startup world often glorifies non-stop work, making it easy to overlook burnout warning signs. This 24/7 approach makes it nearly impossible to ‘switch off. This can lead to chronic stress, where your body is stuck in the stress response, making the possibility of burnout more likely and impacting mental and physical wellbeing. 

When running your own business, creating work-life balance can be particularly challenging. This may be especially true for those who have caring responsibilities at home. When working extra hours there is also less time to do activities that you enjoy and help you relax and switch off, meaning less opportunity to de-stress.

While it is not an easy problem to solve, there are some practical steps you can take to relieve stress and reduce the possibility of burnout. 

Tips for managing stress: 

1. Prioritise self-care - it’s important to note that burnout can’t be fixed with self care, but lifestyle choices can ease stress and make it less likely. 

2. Self-reflection - take time to reflect on your well-being regularly. Identify patterns of stress, exhaustion, or changes in your mental and physical health.

3. Set boundaries - establish clear boundaries between work and your personal life and stick to them. It’s important to take time to rest, recover and relax away from work pressures. 

4. Seek support - social support can make a real difference to stress levels. Don't hesitate to reach out to colleagues or friends who understand the challenges of start-up life. Sharing experiences can provide relief and a sense of camaraderie.

5. Learn to say ‘no’ - if you are at capacity you need to learn to say no to new responsibilities. This isn’t easy and you may need to help find creative solutions to getting work done. Can anything be delegated? Are all the deadlines accurate, or is there flex?

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Conclusion:

It’s important to address chronic stress before it leads to burnout. Actioning the tips above is a good place to start but it’s true that some additional support from a coach or mentor can be particularly helpful in giving you some perspective. 

I have a strong focus on managing stress, establishing and maintaining boundaries and creating a sustainable work-life balance in the coaching work I do with my clients. Drop me a DM to have a chat about whether this would be a good fit for you, or check out the details here

*If you feel you are experiencing, or approaching, burnout you should seek professional support. This could be from a mental health practitioner, privately or through insurance, or making an appointment with your GP.