Passion burnout: 'How I cope with it and how you can too'

As we mark World Mental Health Day next week, the theme, set by the World Federation for Mental Health, is: “It’s time to prioritise mental health in the workplace.”

For those of us in the start-up and small business world, this message couldn’t be timelier. 

Whether you’re running a small business or working in one, you’ve likely felt – or are feeling – the pressure.

The pressure to keep going. The pressure to figure stuff out when you don’t really know the answer. The pressure to turn that brilliant idea you have into the reality you know it could be!

On top of that, you’re likely striving to stay fit, maintain that “oh-so-important" presence on LinkedIn, reply to messages across all your various inboxes and still find quality time for family and friends.

We’re also all dealing with the emotional impact of global news and events that feel out of our control. It can be a lot. With all the above and anything different you may be facing, burnout is a very real risk. 

For this blog, I wanted to talk about “passion burnout”, which is a term that was shared with me by my coach Bianca Topham. I had never heard of it before, but it immediately felt like an ‘aha’ moment.

I had explained to Bianca that although it was great that I was no longer in a period of depression and my brain fog had evaporated, I was now feeling something quite different... I felt this constant energy, a feeling of erraticness.

I had ideas and wanted to do everything all at the same time. In hindsight, that really is not healthy or sustainable! 

A tool that Bianca shared, which may be useful if you ever experience any similar symptoms is the 4D’s Time Management technique:

• Do: The tasks you should do yourself

• Decide: Items you need to decide on

• Delegate: Tasks that you can delegate to someone else

• Ditch: Anything that you can drop from your to-do list

I’m trying to apply this approach of making choices about what is 'actually' needed to get done and what can wait. I haven't nailed it yet, but it certainly feels empowering when it does work.

... I encourage you to try it too!

Earlier this year, adviser member Natalia Nicholson ran a webinar for the community on time management and how to achieve goals while maintaining balance. It’s really worth a watch! 

Accept (start-up) life is a rollercoaster  

Can’t get Ronan Keating out of my head now.

Working in or running a start-up is full of highs and lows. One minute you’re celebrating a win, and the next you’re worried about cash flow or managing another difficult situation. It’s forever a ... rollercoaster. 

Your mental health is not a linear path to growth. I’ve learnt this the hard way after 36 years and two episodes of depression.

Mental health is a lot like physical health. It ebbs and flows, and if you don’t take care of it routinely, it will catch up with you. 

Invest in yourself 

Not everyone is born with natural mental resilience. Some of us, me included, feel emotions deeply. And when the lows hit, they can hit hard.

This year, I started seeing Bianca as a coach and I retrained in Vedic Meditation with Sam Wysock Wright, founder of Soma Meditation. These weren’t just expenses, but investments in my mental wellbeing.

I’m fortunate to have the resources to make these choices, but I understand not everyone can. That’s why I’m sharing a range of resources later in this blog – many of which are free.

Talk about it

I’ve noticed that when I share my mental health journey, people often give me a surprised look. This has made me reflect on how I can be more transparent about my challenges.

As a manager, it’s crucial for me to foster an environment where mental health is openly discussed in the same way we would discuss a physical incident.

Recently, I’ve had a couple of conversations with team members and it felt refreshing to connect and talk about our challenges. The upsetting thing for me is that I couldn’t have guessed that either of them experienced mental health issues.

If you’re leading a team, like I do, perhaps we need to consider how we might create an open dialogue about mental health from the offset of team members onboarding a business.

And if you’re a solo entrepreneur, it’s even more important to check in with yourself regularly or find a support network to rely on.

The power of visualisation 

One of the most frustrating things about mental health is that even when people tell you: “You’re doing great”, it might not feel real if you don’t truly believe it yourself.

This is where techniques like visualisation and hypnotherapy can come in. While it may not work for everyone, finding what resonates with you is key.

The role of business

While I don’t believe it’s solely an employer’s responsibility to maintain an employee’s mental health, businesses absolutely do have a duty to foster a healthy and inclusive workplace.

Supporting our own and teams' mental wellbeing can lead to greater creativity, higher morale and overall better performance. It’s a win-win!

The WHO states that the global economy suffers an annual loss of $1 trillion in productivity due to depression and anxiety alone.

We need to finally break down the stigma of mental health and recognise that vulnerability can become a strength.

Some of the greatest entrepreneurs and innovators have openly discussed their mental health struggles, such as: 

• Grace Beverley, founder of sustainable activewear brand TALA. Grace has talked openly about the mental health toll of being a young entrepreneur.

• James Routledge, co-founder of Sanctus. I truly admire James’ mission to talk openly about mental health. Follow him on LinkedIn to be inspired by posts like this one.

• Emma Gannon: A truly brilliant author of books, such as The Multi Hyphen Method. Emma became so burnt out that she:

  “Cried down the phone to colleagues wearing Crocs and a massive coat in my local park telling them I can’t do any of the work I’d said I’d do”.

   

Start-ups tackling mental health head-on

It’s inspiring to see that many start-ups are now addressing the mental health crisis directly. Here are a few I’d like to share, and thank you to my network on LinkedIn for their recommendations too: 

Give your mind a break

• The HappySelf Journal was founded by Francesca Geens. These journals promote happiness, develop positive habits and nurture enquiring minds for all the family!

• The Body Coach: Joe Wicks promotes the intrinsic connection between physical fitness and mental wellbeing. Subscribe to his free YouTube channel.

Get out in nature

• Swap screen time for green time: Join a free nature connection pilot programme with Nula, where you’ll be encouraged to spend two to three hours per week outside connecting with nature.

• The Nature Collective: Offering nature connection for workplace wellbeing. Working specifically with organisations facilitating spaces that care for both employee and planetary health.

• Unplugged: Digital detox cabins that are designed to help you disconnect and recharge.

Therapy and connection

• Andy’s Man Club: A grassroots men's suicide prevention charity offering peer-to-peer support groups across the UK.

• Minderful: A wellness app – it also offers a free guide to building a culture of wellbeing in the workplace.

• Self Space: On-demand therapy services. The founder spoke at our January StartUp Show about bringing mental health services to the high street.

Nutrition

• Dinner for One Hundred: Foodie events that foster connection and recent collaborations with Lululemon with contributions going to CALM.

• Theenk Tea: Focused on mental and physical health through herbal teas. Read about the founder, Karolina Ba.

• TRIP: Unwind and reduce anxiety with sparkling drinks infused with CBD or magnesium.

 Lifestyle brands

• Keep It Bright: A positive lifestyle brand founded by Zara Street, promoting mental wellbeing through affirmations and self-care products.

• CTRNE shoes: The world's first sneaker brand with Citrine crystals embedded in the soles. Wherever life takes you, walk towards your goals with a vibrant, uplifting energy.

Books, podcasts and thought leaders to follow

• The Big Leap, by Gay Hendricks: Learn how to conquer your hidden fears and take life to the next level.

• Women Who Work Too Much, by Tamu Thomas: How to break free from toxic productivity and find your joy.

• Maya Mental Fitness: An inspiring self-confidence and visualisation expert.

• Kirsty Hulse: If you do nothing else from this blog post, read this.

• Founded & Grounded podcast: Tip! Listen to the episode with Ashleigh Tennent, founder of More Happi, a platform making coaching affordable for all.

• Working Hard, Hardly Working: A podcast series led by Grace Beverley.

• Enterprise Nation's Small Business Sessions podcast: Listen to an episode on managing your mental health, and the founder embracing the mental health boosting power of plants.

Events

• Action for Happiness: An organisation that promotes how to be happy, kindness, connection and wellbeing. It has talks, groups, courses and even... happy cafes.

• Enterprise Nation small business meet-ups offer a relaxed, informal environment for small business owners to connect with fellow founders, form collaborations, find opportunities and solve business challenges.

Financial support

• Money First Aid: Online course training critical members of your team in financial first aid, so they can support colleagues and customers facing financial difficulties, which can often impact mental health.

Energise your mind

I'd be honoured to finish this blog with a poem kindly offered to Enterprise Nation and the community by adviser member Emma Meheux. Thank you Emma!