If you step into a room with ten young entrepreneurs, around seven of them would already be dealing with some symptoms of burnout. Suffering from the mental and physical toll that comes with being a young entrepreneur in 2025. Many of these adolescent entrepreneurs look at success as if it’s a rapid race to be won. But what if it’s that sprint to “success” that’s slowing them down?
First of all. What is grind culture? Grind culture is the mentality that to be viewed as a valuable and successful person, one must work long and tirelessly, which often interferes with one’s well-being.
Second of all. Why is grind culture so appealing to Gen Z? It’s because this generation is always trying to find quicker and simpler ways to make money. They want financial independence in their twenties so that they can be free from working a nine-to-five job for most of their lives. Now, when you put it that way, it doesn’t seem so bad. But when these side hustles consume one’s sleep and interfere with their well-being, it becomes a problem.
Does the mentality of financial and personal growth also fuel burnout?
According to psychology, the grind/hustle mentality stems from extrinsic motivation. There are two kinds of motivation: intrinsic and extrinsic. Intrinsic motivation is when one is fulfilled by the task/behaviour itself. Extrinsic motivation is when one is fulfilled by the reward they get from the task, like a trophy, for example. This concept highlights how if a young entrepreneur focuses too much on the external rewards of the task they are doing, they might lose the internal passion that keeps them going. A survey conducted by Gallup shows that entrepreneurs and employees who are intrinsically motivated are 32% more motivated than those extrinsically motivated. They also tend to show more contentment with the work they are doing. Research has also shown that those who chase extrinsic values like power and money over intrinsic ones are more prone to suffer from anxiety and depression.
As Dr. Christina Maslach said, “Burnout is a canary in the coal mine. It’s a warning sign of a toxic environment. What we shouldn’t do is question why the canary isn’t tougher”. This shows young entrepreneurs that while ambition and motivation are important, it’s also important to acknowledge when it gets too much. Resting and not overwhelming yourself with too much work is key to taking care of your well-being. It helps keep your hustle and drive going, without letting it consume you.
Being ambitious doesn’t have to cost you your mental health. Many psychologists and business experts state the importance of balance and habits which benefit your well-being. Some game-changing habits and boundaries are:
- Set time boundaries and prioritise breaks. Forbes states the importance of setting working hours, communicating them with your colleagues and clients, and actually sticking to them. This is beneficial because you know when your working day starts and ends. Forbes also mentions scheduling a minimum of 15-minute breaks to step away from what you’re doing and step outside. This is great, especially when things get overwhelming.
- Prioritise self-care and stress management. The Beverly Hills Therapy Group mentions “investing in yourself” and allowing yourself time to do the things you enjoy doing, as well as activities which reboot your mind and body. These activities include getting enough sleep, exercising, and eating well. Verywell Mind also mentions tools which one could use to deal with stress. These include meditation, practising yoga, or breathing exercises.
- Align your ambition with intrinsic values. As mentioned earlier, intrinsic motivation sustains passion. In an article by Jamie Ducharme from Time Magazine, Ducharme mentions how focusing on the internal benefits of the task will lead to more self-fulfilment and happiness over focusing on the extrinsic values like money. Researchers have found that linking extrinsic values with a hobby you once enjoyed decreases your joy in the hobby. It turns into a job, not something you want to do, but something you have to do.
A young entrepreneur must remind themselves that success built without the acknowledgement of self-care won’t last. Prioritising your physical and mental health will prevent a side hustle from feeling like an energy-draining chore.
In conclusion, hustling and inevitable sleepless nights are bound to be part of the entrepreneurial journey. However, these inevitable factors don’t have to lead to burnout. The way you handle your well-being throughout your journey to success is in your hands. So, prioritise yourself and your well-being. Recognise that your peace is also part of achieving success. Start by setting boundaries one by one. The grind will take as much as you give it. So, give it your all, but remember to keep enough energy for yourself. Your future self – and success – will thank you.