Unfortunately, based on your answers, it looks like you are dealing with a severe burnout.
Startup Burnout Stage 5
Startup Burnout comes in different stages. You are currently in the so called fifth and final stage of burnout: habitual burnout.
It is the most severe of all startup burnout stages and means you are experiencing extreme physical and mental exhaustion.
Your road to this point might have been long or short, but there is no denying you have been selling yourself and your business short. Now is the time to take action. Or rather, to take rest.
How to recover from startup burnout?
In this stage, you probably feel too exhausted to even think about work, let alone actually get some work done. And that might also be exactly what is obstructing your recovery.
Being a founder or entrepreneur is inherently different from being an employee. Not being able to work as a founder often means no money or no chance of making money anytime soon. You will see your runway vaporizing, and that will only add to the stress instead of relieve it.
Unfortunately, there is no quick fix here. But please understand that the fastest way to recovery and to startup success is to take good care of yourself.
Focus on recovery
Like with everything else in business, it is key to prioritize. In this case, your priority is to recover.
So, do the hard work.
No, not the actual building or marketing work. Do the hard work that is needed to get better.
Contacting your doctor, if you haven’t done so already, is one of the things you need to do here. Talk to a therapist, and gain insights in how your behavior got you here and how you can develop better coping strategies.
Get back on track with Curbn
Once you are getting your energy back again, you might also appreciate some extra help. Especially since the life of a startup founder can feel really lonely, you might want some support from like-minded people.
So, if you would like to have some extra help staying in this stage, join the Curbn Community.
Or download the e-book ‘Escaping Founder Burnout‘. There is a discount code in your mailbox. No need to rush though. The offer will stand for as long as you need. 😊