Anxiety and depression are rampant among entrepreneurs. The stereotype of a founder – fueled by caffeine and ramen noodles, while forgoing sleep, exercise, fresh air, friends, and family in the quest for success – has been the norm for years. It has been encouraged, and even glorified, by startup culture.
The Inc. article “The Psychological Price of Entrepreneurship” explores this topic and explains, “The same passionate dispositions that drive founders heedlessly toward success can sometimes consume them. Business owners are ‘vulnerable to the dark side of obsession.’” Yet, this is not healthy or helpful for long-term success.
Compounding this problem is the startup founder’s hesitation to show weakness or self-doubt. They feel the need to project confidence for investors and employees, despite any inner insecurities. They also tend to connect their self-worth and identity to their startups, which can lead to feelings of depression if their startup fails.
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