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Ask HN: Are you a solo founder? How do you deal with stress?

16 points by mrburton ↗ HN
I'm a mentally tough individual, and I deal with stress very well. I have no issue with managing teams while coding on large projects that have tight deadlines, but there's a 'different' type of stress when starting your own company by yourself.

After all that self-proclaim tough guy shit, let me cut to the chase. Doing a start-up alone is an intense personal challenge at first. You quickly become aware of your flaws, shortcomings and you need to adapt and adjust soon; or you fail.

How do you deal with this deep level of personal stress? Vitamins, Working out, talking to other people in the start-up space, etc.?

I'm starting to take vitamins and going to local hotels to work out; Yes, I walk into hotels act like I'm staying there and use the gym.

I do feel better, but I wanted to see what others are doing. I've been reading about how a lot of entrepreneurs are struggling with depression and wanted to start this thread.

I hope this thread helps another entrepreneur out. Stay strong, stay focused and believe in yourself. Remember, each time we screw up, we found another way we can become better.

12 comments

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asdf212313131
I became a long distance (10km+) runner to deal with uncertainty. I run 3 times a week; about an hour each time. To me its a form of meditation. When I am running, I focus on breathing and let go of most other thoughts. The ability to not think takes your mind away from your product and lets you think more objectively.
patrickxie
does the ability to not have your mind wander off increase with time? I have trouble focusing on breathing, 1 hr on the treadmill is a long time to be fully focused on breathing.
dangrossman
I've been a serial "solo founder" since I was 12 years old or so (now 33), and I don't really identify with this. Working solo means there's nothing on the line should one of my ideas not pan out; all I'll have lost is some of my own time.
jasonkester
Seconded. Working solo means I can move at whatever pace I'm comfortable with, and even halt development entirely for a while if something more interesting crops up.

Supporting customers is not particularly stressful either, so long as you don't make the mistake of trying to answer every email immediately and treat every issue from a $10 account as a hair-on-fire, drop everything emergency.

Build it to run in the background, and it will.

tebugst
I honestly feel this is how startup should be bootstrapped.
alpeware
The most helpful for me has been to develop a solid daily and weekly routine. This helps me knowing when to stop so I don't burn out, ensure I have enough social interaction, take care of my health and keep my sanity. Also, having a wife who believes more in me than myself has been a tremendous asset, so make sure you have a strong support system.

When things get really tough, I just remind myself of my personal freedom and why I'm doing what I'm doing. Watching everyone else during rush hour is also a good exercise, especially on a Monday morning.

muzani
There's no way around it. Have a cry about it. Accept that it hurts, don't deny or suppress the pain.

What helped me a lot was reading Ben Horowitz's "The Hard Thing About Hard Things."

In the end you just have to admit it sucks and that's okay. You have to be the tough guy/girl. I remember a YC lecture once which said that the ideal founder is like James Bond. It's a strange image but it got me through it.

richardknop
>> Yes, I walk into hotels act like I'm staying there and use the gym.

What? That seems unethical. Why are you doing that? Why not be honest and pay for a gym.

tixocloud
I have found that talking with other founders, speaking with friends and being open and honest that it's a journey of personal self-development.

What I've also found is self-reflection and chanting for appreciation of life has helped significantly to see the brighter side when things are tough.

iancmceachern
I run, bike (it's something to progress at when other things arent, meditation) Also, I was very fortunate to find a local entrapaneur group - the glue factory. For me it's been like a support group of, and for, entrapaneurs. https://atgluefactory.com