Jason M. Lemkin advises founders to focus on what truly moves the needle, attend peer events (SAS Annual, SAS Europa) to get inspired and accountable, and recognize that being a founder is a persistent identity unlike other roles—so self-care and prioritization look different for founders.
When you hang out with other founders at your stage or later, instead of focusing on stuff that doesn't move the needle, you focus on what matters. And it doesn't give you the spa day feeling. In fact, you may feel some anxiety or ennui after that dinner or lunch or event. Come to SAS Annual, Come to SAS Europa with founders at your stage or later. But it will inspire you to focus on what matters, kick you in the ass and help you do even better. That will help you really take care of yourself. Because at the end of the day, as founders, here's the thing and we'll break on this point and this is what's different from founders, from almost any other role. Other roles you can always leave. There's always another startup, there's always another bus. And that's fine. Sometimes the best way, if you're not a founder, to reduce stress is to go somewhere else. Even if it's worse. Sometimes it just reduces stress and it's part of self care. But as you're a founder forever, whether you stay or go, whether you change your roles, whether you move to the board, you're the founder for every.
