This document provides tips for managing stress in a startup environment. It begins by listing common signs that someone may be stressed, such as having a rapid heartbeat or shallow breathing. It then defines two types of stressors: internal stressors that come from within the work environment like deadlines or meetings, and external stressors from outside the work like family or personal finances. The document provides techniques for assessing stress levels like checking muscle tension or hand temperature. It identifies common sources of stress for startups like constant doubt, time pressure, money issues, and dealing with people. It concludes by offering strategies for choosing how to approach stressors, finding release valves, building a support system, and maintaining a helpful perspective.
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Managing Stress in a Startup
1. Managing Stress in a Startup
Presented by
Rob Flippo, Suha Jhaveri, Jose Lacal and Stephanie
Warrington
Team Experience
Over 88 Startups
70 Years Collective Experience
$98 Million Raised
2. You Might be Stressed if …..
Your car heads to work regardless of the day of week or
actual planned destination.
You can achieve a “Runners High” by sitting up.
You can see individual air molecules vibrating.
You begin to explore the possibility of setting up an IV drip
solution of espresso.
You wonder if brewing is really a necessary step in the
consumption of coffee.
Things become “Very Clear!!!”
You ask the drive-thru attendant if you can get your order
to go.
Antacid tablets become your sole source of nutrition.
Your heart beats in 7/8 time.
3. Stress – The generalized response of the body
to any demand
Stressor – Any event or condition that initiates
a stress reaction
Internal Stressor – Stress generated from within your
work environment
Deadlines, Funding, Meetings, Etc…
External Stressor – Stress generated from outside
your work environment
Family, Personal finances, Etc…
4. Check muscle tension by "Scanning“
When you scan, you are checking different muscles in your body as if you
could X-ray each part and look for tension.
Check hand temperature
Place your hand on the side of your neck just above your collar. If your
hand is noticeably cooler than your neck, your hand temperature
indicates that your body is probably stressed.
Check for nervous sweating
Many people perspire when they are tense. This is an involuntary stress
response that is caused by the secretion of certain stress hormones. This is
yet another simple indicator that your body is responding to some
stressor.
Check for a rapid pulse rate (> 75 bpm)
At rest, most people will have a pulse rate in the 50s or 60s. However, if
your pulse rate is higher than 75 bpm, it may indicate that your body is
responding to a stressor.
Check for rapid, shallow breathing
8. Separate work from
Home
Separate your self
worth from your
business' success
Compartmentalize
feelings: personal vs.
personnel
9. Try to avoid personal
warranties
Always plan for the
worst case
Prepare the divorce
before the wedding
10. Can {thing you're
building} be used in
other markets?
Are you increasing
your skills to get a
good job if needed?
Can {t} be sold to an
acquirer?
11. First, be gentle with
yourself: delays are
normal, not failure
Everything takes 2x
longer and 3x $$
Does your family
agree with you?
Under-promise
Over deliver
12. Create a clear,
compelling, vision
Paint the picture, often
and loudly
Show path forward
Lead from the front
Weave as needed
14. Choose Stressors
Is it a ‘good’ or ‘bad’
stress?
Opportunity? Take
it!
Toxic relationship?
Lose it!
The constant
doubt? Own it!
15. Choose Reasons
What SHOULD you
stress over?
Others?
Self?
Financial?
Family?
16. Choose Battles
How important will
‘this’ be at IPO/Big Exit?
Will it help you reach
the Castle?
Is it worth the cost to
relationships?
Does it risk creating
more stress/battles?
17. Choose Release Valve That Is …
Unique to you
Restorative
Self-directed
Taking Time Makes Time
Has its own challenge
Learn a language
Learn to dance
Run a 10k
Qualify to compete at….
Set a goal of some sort!
18. Choose Mentors
Startup Stress by nature
is unforeseen
Someone else has been
there/done that
Someone with similar
stressors/ better
reactions
Build on an existing
relationship
Seek specific advice
19. Choose Your Perspective
Steve Jobs (2005):
"Remembering that I'll be dead soon is the most
important tool I've ever encountered to help me make
the big choices in life. Because almost everything -- all
external expectations, all pride, all fear of
embarrassment or failure -- these things just fall away
in the face of death, leaving only what is truly
important. Remembering that you are going to die is
the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you
have something to lose. You are already naked. There
is no reason not to follow your heart. ... Stay hungry.
Stay foolish."
In order to effectively manage stress, you must become aware of the amount and types of stressors in your everyday life. One way of developing an awareness is to assess the frequency and amount of stress in your daily routine, and then trace the stress to its source (i.e., the stressor). Below is a list of five quick, easy ways of measuring stress in your daily life. These methods can be easily used any time and anywhere.Check muscle tension by "Scanning"When you scan, you are checking different muscles in your body as if you could X-ray each part and look for tension. Start at the top of your head and work your way down. Check your forehead, eyes, jaws (are you clenching your teeth?). Then move to your neck and shoulders and check for tension or pain. Next your arms, chest and stomach. Check your breathing to see if it is rapid and shallow rather than slow and deep. Scan your upper legs, calves and your feet and toes. Check hand temperaturePlace your hand on the side of your neck just above your collar. If your hand is noticeably cooler than your neck, your hand temperature indicates that your body is probably stressed. Check for nervous sweating Many people perspire when they are tense. This is an involuntary stress response that is caused by the secretion of certain stress hormones. This is yet another simple indicator that your body is responding to some stressor. Check for a rapid pulse rate (> 75 bpm) At rest, most people will have a pulse rate in the 50s or 60s. However, if your pulse rate is higher than 75 bpm, it may indicate that your body is responding to a stressor. Check for rapid, shallow breathing When people are relaxed, they breath slowly and deeply with relaxed stomach muscles. When people are tense, they often tighten their stomach muscles and breathe through their chests. Since the chest is not as expandable as the stomach, one will exhibit rapid, shallow, chest breathing. One technique for managing stress, is to learn to breathe in a more relaxed fashion. Relax the stomach and breathe in slowly, filling the stomach first and then the chest. Relax again as you exhale and repeat.Note that each of these methods for dealing with body stress utilizes a physical sign or symptom to assess stress levels. These signs may not always be perceptible however, becoming more aware of stress symptoms may reinforce healthy attitudes and practices in response to common stressors.