TL;DR: 7 Harmful Habits Entrepreneurs Must Replace to Thrive
Your habits may be making life heavier than necessary, especially for entrepreneurs juggling personal sacrifices and business growth. Here are 7 habits to watch:
• Avoid overcommitting, learn to say “no” intentionally.
• Embrace progress over perfection; launch at 80%.
• Stop overthinking and practice mindfulness to stay present.
• Compare yourself to your past self, not others.
• Focus only on what you can control.
• Let go of draining relationships.
• Take action now, rather than waiting for the “perfect moment.”
Start small by auditing one negative habit weekly. Replace draining behaviors with habits that boost clarity, energy, and joy to create a sustainable and fulfilling entrepreneurial journey.
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Life can feel like an uphill climb. As entrepreneurs and founders, we often juggle endless to-do lists, tight deadlines, team management, and personal sacrifices. But here’s the kicker: the weight of life isn’t always about external challenges. It’s our habits that often make life feel heavier than it needs to be. The best part? With slight adjustments, you can replace these draining habits with ones that lighten the load instead of adding to it.
As someone who’s led startups in competitive markets, I understand the toll these habits can take, not just on your mental health but on your ability to scale a business. Let’s shed light on seven habits dragging ambitious individuals down and what you can do instead to reclaim focus, energy, and joy.
What are the habits making life unnecessarily heavy?
Many of us unknowingly operate on autopilot with habits that sap our energy. These habits create unnecessary struggles, complicate our decision-making, and slow down personal and professional growth. Here are seven key culprits to watch out for and exactly how to replace them for a lighter and more productive life:
1. Saying “Yes” When You Mean “No”
Overcommitting is one of the fastest roads to burnout. We say yes to meetings, projects, or favors, not out of genuine willingness, but because we feel pressured to please. Entrepreneurs are particularly vulnerable because saying “no” can feel like missed opportunities for growth.
What to do instead: Build the habit of pausing before agreeing. Ask yourself, “Does this align with my goals or values?” If it doesn’t, respectfully decline. For example, responding with, “I appreciate the offer, but I’m fully committed at the moment,” sets boundaries without burning bridges.
2. Chasing Perfection Instead of Progress
Perfectionism isn’t the badge of honor we often think it is. It slows you down, makes completing tasks stressful, and feeds overthinking. This doesn’t just delay product launches or pitches but also creates a constant feeling of inadequacy.
What to do instead: Adopt a “good enough” mindset. In practice, this looks like launching a project when it’s 80% ready instead of holding off for perfection. Version one is always better than version none. Consider Jeff Bezos’ mantra: “If you’re not embarrassed by your initial launch, you waited too long.”
3. Overthinking Past Failures or Future Scenarios
Dwelling on the past or worrying about the future eats up mental energy and focus. Entrepreneurs often replay mistakes or obsess over “what if” scenarios, making it harder to execute in the present. The result? Paralysis caused by analysis.
What to do instead: Practice mindfulness techniques to stay in the present. Whenever you feel yourself spiraling, pause and focus on your senses for one minute: notice what you feel, smell, or hear. Anchoring yourself in the moment helps you regain clarity and calmness. Apps like Headspace or Calm can assist in weaving mindfulness into your daily routine.
4. Comparing Yourself to Others’ Success
Social media amplifies this issue. You see your peers achieving funding, scaling their startups, or posting the latest vacation pics, and suddenly your accomplishments feel small. But comparisons only highlight the external and dismiss the context.
What to do instead: Compare yourself only to your past self. Track your wins, however small, over time. Use tools like Notion or a simple journal to write down progress weekly. Reflect often and remind yourself: “Am I a little better than I was last month?”
5. Trying to Control What You Can’t
As founders, we often feel responsible for an impossible number of variables. From market conditions to customer sentiment, not everything is within our sphere of influence. By clinging to control over the uncontrollable, we only increase stress.
What to do instead: Accept and let go. Use the “Sphere of Control” methodology: focus only on areas you can affect, like how your team is prepared for a pitch. External events (like economic slowdowns) are inputs you manage, not manipulate.
6. Clinging to Unfulfilling Relationships
As businesses evolve, so should the relationships within them. It’s painful but necessary to let go of partnerships or friendships that no longer align with your current goals or values. Holding on “just because” weighs heavily over time.
What to do instead: Apply the positive subtraction rule: ask, “Is this connection adding value to my life, or draining it?” If it’s the latter, consider distancing yourself gently, focusing that energy elsewhere.
7. Postponing Action Until It Feels “Right”
The “perfect moment syndrome” freezes many entrepreneurs in place. Waiting for the perfect investor, market conditions, or timing only delays progress.
What to do instead: Start poorly. The moment you take any action, no matter how imperfect, you gain clarity. Take the small first step that aligns with your vision. Remember: momentum breeds motivation.
How can you break free from these habits?
- Audit your current habits: Identify one habit from the list you want to tackle this week.
- Seek support: Join founder groups or connect with a mentor to hold you accountable.
- Repeat small wins: Build momentum by starting with minor changes.
- Celebrate progress: Track changes and reward yourself for breakthroughs, however small.
Replacing these harmful behaviors with healthy alternatives transforms how you approach challenges, role transitions, and day-to-day life. As an entrepreneur, you don’t just owe it to yourself but also to your team and personal relationships to operate from a place of clarity and resilience.
Closing Thoughts: Break the Cycle
Letting go of habits that weigh you down isn’t about perfection, it’s about progress. Small, intentional steps compound into massive results, both personally and professionally. You’re likely sacrificing so much to grow your business, don’t let harmful habits make your path unnecessarily painful.
Be proactive in designing a lifestyle where work, well-being, and self-improvement coexist. Not only will it make entrepreneurship more sustainable, but you might just inspire others to do the same.
FAQ on Habits That Make Life Heavier
What are key habits that make life feel unnecessarily heavy?
Certain habits, like overthinking, saying “yes” too often, and chasing perfection, can unintentionally take a toll on mental and emotional energy. For example, overthinking past events or future scenarios creates anxiety and distracts from the present. Similarly, perfectionism delays progress and builds stress by creating unattainable standards. Saying “yes” when you want to say “no” often results in overcommitting, which leads to burnout. Recognizing these behaviors and consciously making small changes in how you manage your time and choices can significantly reduce the burden they create. Learn more about these habits in this helpful breakdown: Silicon Canals , 7 Habits That Make Life Feel Heavier
How can saying "no" lead to a lighter life?
Saying "no" isn’t about being selfish, it’s about managing your time and energy wisely. Many individuals say "yes" out of guilt or fear of disappointing others, often at the expense of their own priorities and well-being. One method to incorporate is pausing before committing and asking yourself, “Does this align with my personal goals or values?” For example, you can say, “I’d love to help, but my schedule is full right now.” This polite yet firm approach allows you to set boundaries without burning bridges. Check out more tips for balancing your commitments here: Learn to Balance Your Time
Why is perfectionism not always beneficial?
Perfectionism may seem positive, but it often slows down decision-making and increases mental pressure. Entrepreneurs, for example, commonly delay launching projects because they feel their work isn’t “ready.” Yet, this constant pursuit of flawless outcomes can lead to missed opportunities and feelings of inadequacy. Instead, adopting a “good enough” mindset promotes progress. Aim to complete 80% of a task and refine along the way. Remember the popular saying: “Version one is better than version none.” Find more strategies to overcome perfectionism here: Perfectionism Solutions for Entrepreneurs.
How can mindfulness help in managing anxiety and overthinking?
Mindfulness is invaluable for battling overthinking, as it encourages focusing on the present moment instead of ruminating on past mistakes or fearing the future. Techniques like focusing on your senses, breathing exercises, or guided meditation can quickly ground your mind during stressful episodes. Apps like Calm or Headspace also offer accessible ways to make mindfulness part of your daily routine. Regular mindfulness practice improves clarity, resilience, and emotional regulation. Learn more about how to integrate mindfulness into your habits: Explore Mindfulness Tools.
Is social media contributing to feelings of inadequacy?
Yes, social media can exacerbate self-comparison habits by creating unrealistic benchmarks for success. Often, you see curated versions of others’ lives, highlighting achievements while hiding struggles, making your progress seem small in comparison. To counteract this, track your personal growth. Whether it's through a journal or apps like Notion, measure your current self against your past self, not against others. Reflect weekly: “Am I improving compared to last month?” Transform your perspective with this approach and explore more tips: Understand Self-Comparison Habits
Why is it important to let go of unfulfilling relationships?
Clinging to unfulfilling relationships, be they friendships or professional connections, can drain mental and emotional energy. This often happens for fear of confrontation or guilt. Yet, these dynamics can prevent you from forming meaningful connections with others who align with your current goals and values. Adopting a “positive subtraction” mindset, where you assess whether a relationship adds value or drains energy, is key. Learn how to prioritize better connections and let go gracefully with insights from Silicon Canals: Improve Relationships With Boundaries.
How does trying to control the uncontrollable increase stress?
Attempting to manage factors beyond your control, like other people’s actions or market fluctuations, creates unnecessary anxiety. Using techniques like the Sphere of Control method, which focuses your attention on actionable items, can ease stress. The key is to concentrate on what you can influence, like personal effort and preparation, while letting go of external outcomes. Explore this methodology for reducing stress here: Sphere of Control for Stress Management.
Why waiting for the perfect time can delay happiness and action?
Many fall into the trap of postponing action until conditions seem ideal, a phenomenon often termed the “perfect moment syndrome.” Unfortunately, this mindset only delays progress. Starting small, even imperfectly, helps you learn and build momentum. The moment you act, you create clarity and inspiration. For example, writing a rough draft of a business plan provides a roadmap to refine rather than waiting indefinitely for “better timing.” Find more motivational strategies for immediate action here: Overcoming Delayed Action.
Are small habits easier to replace than big ones?
Yes, replacing small habits is more practical and less overwhelming than tackling major changes all at once. For instance, if you tend to overthink, challenge one recurring thought rather than trying to “stop overthinking” entirely. Small wins build momentum and lead to sustainable behavioral change. Tracking these habits using apps or journaling enhances accountability and celebrates progress. Begin habit auditing and incremental change with advice from this article: Start Small with Healthy Habits.
How do these habit changes benefit entrepreneurs specifically?
Entrepreneurs often juggle high-pressure responsibilities, making these habits particularly draining in their lifestyle. Addressing negative patterns like perfectionism or overthinking enables entrepreneurs to scale businesses more efficiently while preserving mental health. Learning to say “no” creates time for high-priority tasks, while mindfulness improves decision-making under stress. These tips from Silicon Canals provide tailored guidance for entrepreneurs. Start making lighter, more productive choices today: Self-Care for Founders and Entrepreneurs.
About the Author
Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. Throughout her startup experience she has applied for multiple startup grants at the EU level, in the Netherlands and Malta, and her startups received quite a few of those. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the “gamepreneurship” methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond, launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks and is building MELA AI to help local restaurants in Malta get more visibility online.
For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the point of view of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about the best hotels in Italy to work from.