Entrepreneurship is a marathon, not a sprint, but let me tell you, I’ve been guilty of treating it like a full-speed race with no finish line. The pressure to perform, hustle culture, and constant juggling of priorities can create energy patterns that work against us as founders. Over time, I’ve learned to recognize three key energy pitfalls that often hold us back: burnout, crowd out, and step out. These patterns may sound unfamiliar, but their symptoms and impacts are all too real. Recognizing and addressing them has made a massive difference for me, and I hope it will for you, too.
Burnout: Spread Too Thin
Burnout is the energy pitfall we hear about the most, and for good reason—it’s incredibly common. I’ve felt it firsthand. Burnout happens when you take on too much, stretch your energy across too many areas, and lose the balance you need to function effectively. It’s not just about working long hours; it’s the emotional and mental toll of constantly being "on."
For me, burnout has shown up as strained relationships, reduced creativity, and sheer physical exhaustion. Here’s the kicker: even the things I’m passionate about can feel like a grind when I’m burned out. Burnout isn’t just about doing too much—it’s about neglecting the parts of your life that actually fuel you. I’ve learned (the hard way) that if I ignore the warning signs, I’ll hit a wall. And trust me, climbing out of burnout is a lot harder than avoiding it in the first place.
Crowd Out: Overfocused and Isolated
While burnout spreads you thin, crowd out does the opposite—it focuses all your energy on one area to the detriment of everything else. I’ve been there, too. Crowd out is when you put on blinders and become so singularly focused on your business that you forget to eat, neglect your relationships, and lose touch with the other parts of your life that keep you grounded.
The tunnel vision of crowd out is isolating. It’s like your world narrows to a single point, leaving no room for relationships or hobbies that bring balance. For me, this pitfall often stifles my creativity and problem-solving abilities. I’ve found that isolation and frustration can become a cycle—the more you’re in it, the harder it is to step back and see the bigger picture. If you’re not careful, crowd out can leave you feeling stuck and alone, even when you’re pouring everything into your business.
Step Out: Avoidance and Procrastination
Step out is the sneakiest pitfall of the three because it often hides in plain sight. I’ve experienced it as perfectionism or procrastination—avoiding the next step in my business because it feels too overwhelming or risky. Step out happens when you shrink back, avoiding social interactions or critical business tasks because they feel too daunting.
This pitfall is insidious because it disguises itself as being busy. You might find yourself tweaking and re-tweaking projects instead of moving forward, convincing yourself that you’re making progress. I’ve fallen into this trap, and it’s a tough one to break out of. Step out doesn’t just slow your momentum; it undermines your confidence and creates roadblocks to growth. Recognizing this pattern means being honest with yourself about fear and motivation—and that’s not easy, but it’s essential.
How I’m Addressing These Pitfalls
Recognizing these three energy pitfalls is the first step toward overcoming them. For me, awareness has been a game-changer. It’s not about perfection; it’s about creating balance through small, consistent actions. Whether it’s setting boundaries, building present-moment awareness, or simply taking breaks, these steps help me avoid burnout, crowd out, and step out.
In future blogs, I’ll dive deeper into strategies I’ve found effective for combating these patterns and building habits that promote entrepreneurial well-being. For now, the key takeaway is clear: Awareness is power, and balance is the ultimate goal. If you can start recognizing these patterns in yourself, you’re already on the path to thriving as a founder.
Andy Kottage
Andy Kottage, founder of GutBlossom, sits at the intersection of productivity and health. With a background in process engineering and certifications in holistic health, Andy helps business leaders harmonize their life and business. He provides practical tools and systems for digging up root causes, streamlining processes, and simplifying habits to achieve a balanced and fulfilling life.
