Founder Well-Being: Time Doesn’t Scale—Energy Does.

Having worked closely with founders, I’ve seen just how stretched they get. High-priority tasks stack up fast. Skills need to be learned on the fly. That elusive work-life "balance" people talk about? It’s often an illusion in the early stages. But here’s what I’ve learned:

• Growing a company doesn’t have to come at the cost of wellbeing.

• Caring for wellbeing doesn’t have to consume time.

Over time, I’ve seen how a few simple, consistent practices can help founders stay steady. I’ve shared these informally with clients, colleagues, and friends—and now I’ve codified them here in hopes that others can build their own rituals too.

This is not medical advice. It’s what I’ve observed and practiced across founder journeys—examples of what works when time is tight and demands are high.

I like to think about wellbeing in terms of energy—not just time:

• Quantity: Founders need to match energy input with output. When demands increase, recovery must too.

• Quality: Every task draws on a different kind of energy. Strategic thinking, managing people, deep analysis—each has a different feel.

• Transforms: Founders store stress differently. Learning how to release it is essential to sustaining the pace.

Here are nine practices I regularly recommend to founders who need fast, effective ways to recharge:

1. Sensory Deprivation Tank
   One hour in a dark, salt-rich float tank can feel like several hours of sleep. It’s powerful, especially when a founder is running low on reserves but can’t take time off.

2. Epsom Salt Bath
   No float tank? A CBD-infused Epsom salt bath at home is a great substitute. I’ve seen founders sleep better and feel more grounded after one.

3. Relaxation Massage
   Many founders don’t realize how much tension they’re holding until someone else helps them release it. A gentle massage activates rest-and-recovery mode.

4. Restorative Exercise
   Restorative yoga and breathwork aren’t about working harder—they’re about restoring flow. They’re especially useful for founders who feel stuck or wired.

5. Mindfulness
   When a founder builds awareness, they make better decisions. Some prefer solo practice, others benefit from guided support. Either way, it’s a powerful performance enhancer.

6. Music
   Instrumental music, or even actively playing music, can shift mental states. I’ve seen founders use it to process stress or transition between intense work blocks.

7. Coaching
   A skilled coach provides space for reflection, pattern-recognition, and clarity. For overloaded founders, that space is often the most valuable time they’ll spend all week.

8. Letting Go
   One of the biggest mindset shifts I’ve helped founders make is this: focus on what you can control. You can’t control investor decisions or market timing—but you can control your response.

9. Time-Block by Energy Type
   Founders burn out when switching contexts too often. I suggest grouping tasks by the kind of energy they require—strategy, people, admin, analysis—and scheduling in focused blocks.

When I work with founders, I often ask:

• When do you think most clearly?

• When are you best with people?

• When do you handle detailed analysis with ease?

The answers to these shape how founders can organize their days more effectively.

In summary:

Startup life is intense. That’s part of the job. But founders don’t need to sacrifice their wellbeing to succeed. By managing energy—how much is used, what kind is needed, and how to replenish it—founders can lead from a place of strength.

Not everything is in your control. But how you respond? That’s always yours to own.