I learned something important in 2023: we need breaks. As the year ended, I saw signs of burnout in myself.

Leading anything is tough. The ideas of a startup even tougher. It’s not just about being in charge. It’s about chasing a vision to change the world. This means constantly searching for the next big thing. Our commitment doesn’t stop at work. It stays with us – at dinner, at home, even in bed. We think about our team, our company, and our customers. The weight is immense.

The weight we face is often borne alone. As Sam Altman puts it, “it’s lonely in a way that’s difficult to explain.” Finding a supportive group is incredibly tough. Many of us follow the same path: first burnout, then depression. In our world, we celebrate those who push themselves beyond their physical and emotional limits. This is unbalanced. Realize that living this way is not healthy—it's detrimental to your work and unsustainable. It’s just work.

Most of the founders I know have had seriously dark times, and usually felt like there was no one they could turn to. For whatever it’s worth, you’re not alone, and you shouldn’t be ashamed.
- Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI

Romanticize your life. Take breaks and be happy. Take pictures, spend time with your family, treat yourself, listen to music, dance, take a walk, or read a book—and not just another book on growth. Do something that truly makes you happy. Do this and remember: you need to be happy too. If you’re happy, then your work will thrive. Finally, talk to people. Open up about your struggles. You’d be surprised how willing they are to listen.

To succeed is to endure struggles. Hardship isn't about suffering for its own sake; it's about finding growth and fulfillment. It's important to strike a balance: find joy and value in both the struggles and the quieter moments. Work hard, but also take time to enjoy life. Being happy and taking breaks ensures you can endure struggles over the long run.

The struggle is where greatness comes from, not when you're happy and everything's fine.
- Ben Horowitz, Co-founder of Andreessen Horowitz

I received quite a few questions related to this blog post. Here are the main questions I received:

1. How do you know when to take a break?
2. How long should a break be?
3. How often should you take breaks?
4. How do you recover if you've already reached burnout?

Look for signs of burnout, which can include symptoms such as fatigue, lack of motivation, social withdrawal or isolation, and irritation. These signs aren't exhaustive, nor do they apply to everyone, but recognizing your personal indicators of burnout is a crucial moment to consider taking a break. Ideally, we wouldn't reach the point of experiencing burnout symptoms, but when it happens, identifying them is important.

These two questions go hand in hand. The unfortunate truth is that the longer you wait, the longer it takes to recover.

First and foremost, if it's possible to remove yourself from the stressful situation, do so. Take a long vacation or break if you can. Whether you can take a break or not, it's crucial to accept that what you're experiencing is not merely temporary. You're not just overworked; you're consistently pushing beyond your limits. Take a long, hard look in the mirror and try to understand how you reached this point. It may not have all been within your control, but take an honest assessment and map out your journey here.

Finally, start making changes by focusing on routines that have long-term benefits. Prioritize sleep first, as we all know it's usually the first aspect to suffer (myself included). Ensure you get the proper amount of sleep for you. Then, implement healthy habits such as exercising, eating well, meditation, and spending time with family and friends. Continue this trend and avoid falling back into the previous bad habits that led to your burnout. Before you know it, you'll be better than you were before.

Taking breaks should not just be seen as a remedy for when signs of burnout shows its fangs. Instead, consider it essential to improve all aspects of your life and maintain balance to ward off burnout. Here are some strategies I’ve learned to help avoid burnout and manage stress effectively:

1. Prioritize Your Tasks: Identify the most important tasks and tackle them first. This approach provides a sense of accomplishment and boosts your motivation.
2. Reward Yourself: Celebrate both big and small achievements. Whether it's attending an F1 race, enjoying a football game, or simply playing video games, do what makes you happy.
3. Maintain Balance: It’s crucial to create a clear separation between work and personal life. Dedicate time to hobbies, friends, and family to ensure a well-rounded life.
4. Focus on Health: Treat your physical and mental health with care. Proper sleep and nutrition are fundamental, and daily physical or mental exercises, even something as simple as walking, are beneficial.

Always, the thoughts shared here are based on my personal experiences and beliefs. If you've been consistently making efforts to improve your health and still find yourself struggling, consider seeking professional help. Even if you're making progress, a professional can provide invaluable support. A caring professional can truly work wonders for your well-being.