One important thing many startup founders easily ignore

A couple of days ago, I met a colleague and a mentor after 4 years. Things were very different 4 years ago. I was an undergraduate student at an engineering college and had been contemplating on what I wanted to do with my life after I finished studies. Whereas, my mentor was running his own startup.

The startup was fascinating because deep down I also had a similar plan for future. Anyways, whenever I logged on to Facebook, I found a barrage of updates about how he worked day in and day out to achieve success of his startup. There would always be pictures of him and his colleagues working at office during the wee hours of night which apparently looked exciting. However, there was a huge problem with the way things were going on, for sure.

Fast forward 4 years, the startup does not exist and one of the primary reasons behind divesting the startup is startup founder’s adverse health. Due to hectic routine and lack of discipline in life, his health deteriorated. He got ill which eventually led to startup’s shut down.

Operating a startup is very difficult. It requires patience, persistence and most importantly discipline — which most of the startup founders tend to overlook completely.

Startup founders need to understand that their own sound health is absolutely necessary for a healthy venture. A healthy mind lives in a healthy body. When the body is not feeling well, it would be hard to concentrate and think properly. Consequently, the startup will suffer. Not only this, investors rarely invest in a startup, the founder of which does not have a sound health.

Look around yourself and you will find many examples of successful people who possess fit body and a disciplined life. You don’t have to go too far to look for such people. Think of the CEOs of telecom companies in Pakistan. Think of successful people around you? Think of your boss? Are these people fit? Yes, I am sure they are.

Leaders start their day with some sort of exercise to maintain health and fitness. They understand that in order to be successful and live an extraordinary life, they need to invest in their own health first. Health should be a prime concern.

As a startup founder, it is very easy to ignore oneself by exerting all one’s energy and focus on venture. But more often, this strategy lets you end up in depression, burnout and frustration.

I would advise you to take care of your health and make sure to keep a balanced diet. It is also a smart decision to invest in yourself. I am sure that you will continue to reap positive returns and stay eternally grateful.  Do not forget the age old adage, “Health is wealth!”