How many times have I heard this myth? Not only at conferences in organizations, but also from the mouths of business leaders who fail in my chair… If I’m the boss, I should be able to avoid burning out, right?

This is often one of the first things I discuss with an entrepreneur who consults me for professional exhaustion (commonly called burnout ). This condition develops when we are exposed to chronic stress. Now, if there is one thing we know well as entrepreneurs, it is stress. It is therefore very important to recognize its sources in the organization (advice to those interested, this will be the subject of my next column!) and to develop skills to deal with it.

An entrepreneur or a manager is usually the one at the top of the pyramid, the one who is the last person responsible in case of an emergency. This is even more true when you are the owner of the company. It is therefore understandable that in this position, he is the one who experiences the most stress.

A few other risk factors explain why senior executives are more exposed; when the company goes through a period of uncertainty, it is the management that must make the necessary decisions in order to ensure the sustainability of the organization. Uncertainty is often synonymous with stress, and if it becomes chronic, stress will become chronic as well.

The strength of the network

The adage “ It’s lonely at the top ” is often heard, and research confirms this. These managers often feel socially isolated. They work long hours, and their network can crumble after several years of intensive work. Social support is an important tool for stress management.

Of course, support from loved ones is important, but that of peers is just as important . If you are suffering from loneliness, contact a fellow entrepreneur, discuss your challenges, and the solutions each person has developed. Whether in fashion, group discussion, mentoring or with other entrepreneurs, these interactions can help you get out of isolation.

I + company

Similarly, after working for several years to develop their business project, managers run the risk of seeing their identity merge with that of the organization. The company is therefore no longer something that we have created, but rather a part of us. It then becomes difficult to manage pressure from investors, markets, employees without directly feeling the impact on us, and sometimes even directly on our self-esteem.

A good strategy is to make sure that we develop our personal life independently of our job. In this way, we can take advantage of our moments during a water polo game, driving a glider or as a baseball coach to develop an identity independent of that of our work . A different, complementary identity, which nourishes us differently.

Entrepreneurship is an extreme sport and practicing good mental health management is as important as checking your canopy before a skydive. Let it be known!

Read if you like: 5 approaches to psychological distress