Can't Stop or Delegate- I'll Lose Momentum

Hello hello people, it’s getting really cold in Boston, I love it. But my skin? Not so much.

Today, let me ask you something…

Do you ever get that feeling like you’re always on? Like, there’s always something to be done, and if you’re not doing something productive, you’re somehow falling behind?

Yeah, me too. It’s that constant push to keep going, to stay busy, to hustle. Some people call it “founder mode,” but let’s be real—it doesn’t matter if you’re running a startup or juggling a 9-to-5 with passion projects. We all feel it.

In this week’s episode of The Pivot to Balance Podcast (Episode 25: FOUNDER Mode, but Balanced), we talked about what it’s like to go full-on founder mode—even if you’re not a business owner. It's that zone where you’re just in the thick of it, handling everything, solving problems, and staying in “do more” mode.

So... why is it so hard to turn it off?

Turns out, it’s not just in your head—science says we get hooked on this feeling of always being productive. Our brains release dopamine (aka the feel-good chemical) when we check things off our list. And that’s great... until it’s not. Because while that dopamine boost keeps us going, it also makes us feel like we constantly need to be doing something. And yeah, that’s how burnout sneaks up on you.

I’ve been there. I’ve spent entire days sitting at my desk, getting lost in the “busy,” waiting for things to load or upload, feeling like I needed to always be productive.

But here’s the thing—our brains need breaks. Like, real breaks. You know how your best ideas come to you in the shower or right before bed? That’s your brain finally getting some downtime to connect the dots. It’s why taking a step back is more than just a nice idea—it’s necessary. Your brain needs that time to process everything and come up with fresh ideas.

So, how do we balance this hustle without burning out?

Hold on, give me one second…

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Thank you, thank you! Back to the point…

Here’s what’s been working for me lately:

1. Setting Boundaries: It’s all about figuring out when to call it quits for the day. I’m learning to stop working late and give myself at least one day a week to totally unplug (still trying to stick to this!).

2. Remembering the “Why”: I keep reminding myself that I’m doing all this because I love it, not because I have to. Shifting my mindset has relieved so much pressure.

3. Reflecting on What’s Working: Every now and then, I step back and ask myself, Am I still enjoying this? Is this sustainable? It helps me stay focused on what matters instead of just staying busy.

4. Celebrating the Small Wins: Sometimes we get so caught up in the grind, that we forget to appreciate the little victories. When someone tells me an episode resonated with them, or they learned something new, I make sure to celebrate that moment.

If you’ve been in this hustle mode lately, maybe it’s time to step back and take a breather. It doesn’t mean you’re any less driven. It means you’re smart enough to see the big picture.

I’d love to know—are you juggling a big project right now? How are you handling the intensity? Hit reply and let me know!

Oh, and if you missed the latest episode of The Pivot to Balance Podcast, here’s a link: Episode 25: FOUNDER Mode, but Balanced. It’s all about balancing that all-in energy with some necessary chill time.

Happy Sunday and here’s to a productive and balanced week ahead!

Until Thursday,

Anusha Kannan

THIS WEEK ON The Pivot to Balance Podcast

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