Dear SaaStr: How Do I Deal With Burnout and Cut Myself Some Slack?
Burnout after a tough 4-5 year (or longer) stretch is real, and it’s brutal. Almost all of it feel some of it at least around Year 4-5. Maybe every 4-5 years.
But here’s the thing: you can’t just “power through” burnout indefinitely—it doesn’t work. You’ve already proven you can push through when it matters, but now it’s time to recalibrate and rebuild your energy. Cutting yourself some slack doesn’t mean slacking off, it means being intentional about how you recover while still moving forward.
Here’s how I’d approach it:
1. Take a Real Break (Even if It’s Short)
You need to step away, even if just for a few days. Take a proper vacation—no “staycations” where you’re still checking Slack or email every 10 minutes. Go somewhere, disconnect, and let your brain reset. Even a 2+2 vacation (two days fully off, two days light work) can make a big difference. You’ve earned it, and your business won’t implode if you step away for a few days.
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2. Drop One Thing
You can’t do everything, and trying to will only make burnout worse. Identify one thing you’re unnecessary. It might be a feature you’ve been meaning to ship, a marketing channel that’s not delivering, or even a side project that’s distracting you. Dropping one thing that doesn’t move the needle will free up mental space and reduce stress.
3. Focus on Progress, Not Perfection
Burnout often comes from feeling stuck or like you’re spinning your wheels. Shift your focus to small wins—things that show tangible progress. For example, ship a game-changing feature, close one more deal, or improve customer happiness. Progress, even in small increments, is energizing.
4. Build a Support System
You don’t have to do this alone. Connect with other founders who’ve been through similar struggles. SaaStr events, for example, are packed with founders at every stage who can offer advice, share their stories, and remind you that you’re not alone. Sometimes just talking to someone who gets it can lift a huge weight off your shoulders .
5. Treat Yourself like a CEO, If Can Afford It
Fly business class if you’re traveling, stay in decent hotels, or splurge on something small that makes your life easier. These little upgrades might seem indulgent, but they’re high ROI when it comes to reducing stress and keeping you functional.
6. Hire 1 Person To Take Some of the Load
If you’re still doing everything yourself, it’s time to get help. Even if you’re bootstrapping, consider hiring a contractor, part-time help, or even an intern to take some of the load off your plate. You don’t need to hire a full-time VP yet, but getting someone to handle repetitive or time-consuming tasks can be a game-changer.
7. Accept That Burnout Is Part of the Journey
This is the hard truth: burnout is almost inevitable at some point in the founder journey. But it’s not permanent. The key is to recognize it, address it, and build systems to prevent it from happening again. You’ve already done the hardest part—pushing through financial instability. Now to focus on recovery and recalibration.
Burnout doesn’t mean you’re failing—it means you’ve been giving everything you’ve got. Now, it’s time to give yourself permission to step back, recharge, and come back stronger. You’ve already proven you can push through the hard times, but cutting yourself some slack is about ensuring you can sustain the journey for the long haul.
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- Source: https://www.saastr.com/dear-saastr-how-do-i-deal-with-burnout-and-cut-myself-some-slack/
