Founder “Duck and Cover” Moments
This week, two different clients shared with me that they were feeling weird because things were quiet in the company. “We’re not fundraising and I’m not personally responsible for any of the key deadlines we’re facing,” one founder told me. Another founder remarked that “we’re about to hire a bunch of people - but right now I’m solo building our prototype and I’m feeling a little burnt out.”
My answer to both clients was “OK - this is what I call a ‘Duck and Cover’ moment. Let’s take advantage.” I further explained that startup life is often very busy and it’s a rare gift to have quiet spells when nothing is urgent or on fire. When these lulls in the storm emerge, we have to seize the opportunity peel off and do some self-care. These are the moments when we need to fill our bucket and rejuvinate. You don’t have to wait three months for a proper vacation - you can take the edge off right now in these mini moments.
The hard part, as a founder, is that no one is going to give you permission to take two days off back-to-back to sip lattes and browse books at your favorite bookstore - or to go get an extended massage and take a giant nap. You have to find a way to give yourself permission to do this - and to recognize that being a great leader means that you have enough personal bandwith to support the other people on your team.
Being a founder is an exhausting marathon. Whenever you notice you have three hours free on your calendar and nothing on your to-do list is incredibly urgent - you have to sneak off and take advantage. Get your nails done! Take that yoga class! Meet up with your bestie for lunch! Do whatever you find to be restorative.
I promise you that your slide deck will be waiting for you tomorrow. But today, the best thing you can do when you notice you have a “Duck and Cover” founder moment - is to put down your laptop and bolt. You never know when such a quiet moment will naturally emerge again.
If you need permission from someone, you can think of me right now. I officially give you permission. Carpe diem!
