I don’t think i can run a company until I can make it through a week without thinking about killing myself, but I’m already running a company and I don’t know what to do about all the people who are relying on me and expecting things from me.

You’re not atlas. You don’t have to carry the world on your shoulders. If you try anyway you’re gonna get crushed.

If you let employees or customers walk all over you you’ll succumb to the stress. It isn’t worth it. You must learn to say “no”. If you don’t take care of yourself the company is doomed.

I know how you feel. I have the same mentality seeking the approval of other people — my investors, employees, potential business partners. And a fear of letting them down.

Another startup CEO once told me that it is probably a bad sign if everyone in the company likes you. It means you are not making the right decisions all the time because you’re trying to please everyone instead.

Aside from that, it’s a constant struggle to remember that the startup is not your life, your life is worth much more and you will go on to do many other things that are life-giving not soul-draining. I hope you have a personal support network around you who can listen to you about these pressures and help you.

You don’t have to think in weeks, just make it day by day.

It’s hard when people rely so much on you to lead, even harder if you feel like an imposter about it. The best you can do is try your best, and do as much as you can to help. I’m the CEO and when it’s crunchtime with everyone working round the clock, and I don’t code I’ll do everything to help them. Take out the trash. Coffee and redbull runs. Buy food delivery. Every gesture counts.

Please look at how much you’ve already accomplished. You are running a company. Have fun! I know it gets hard and stressful, but it’s hard and stressful when you’re doing something that is making you unhappy. So, take the day off, sit and write all the things down that are making you feel pressured and write what you can do to change them. For example, if you don’t like that your work hours are 9-5, poll the office and see who else would like different hours. Maybe you will find everyone else is happier and more productive working from 10-6 or 7-3. Maybe you will find that working from home on Fridays is better. You can change this. Let’s say you find that you don’t like that you never followed through on your core idea. Have a team in the office dedicated to 4 hours a week that will help you do this…. Maybe you work too much? Maybe you feel like you are powerless – you’re not. It’s your company, move it forward. Maybe you feel lonely in your personal life – go visit a friend or family. Set a date night with you and your love where you turn your phone off and give all your attention to them. Take a quick vacation.

You are in control of your life, if you are unhappy, change it. Do not exit, it’s selfish and the people that are counting on you will be hurt even more. Suicide is a permanent solution to a small and temporary problem. There is no amount of money, no amount of success worth your life. Go for lots of sunshine throughout the day and be proud of how far you’ve come and the people you’ve given jobs and opportunity to live good lives. It always gets better.

I was in a similar position with the first company that I founded. Everyone depended on me and nothing would get fixed or solved unless I did it myself. I was burnt out, had lost my motivation and did not see anyway out. Do what I should have done then.

Talk to a mentor who is not involved who will tell it to you straight.

If you are unhappy, map out your exit strategy. One that will give those who are dependent on you time to make other plans. Having a goal and something to focus on should help get you over the hump.

But if your thoughts of killing yourself stem from something beyond stress, talk to someone – get some help. As an entrepreneur you understand trends and the evolving marketplace. Suicide is a long term solution to a short term problem.

Rationally you understand that, just make sure that you keep that in mind and don’t let the stress and negative emotions overwhelm you and take over your life.

Sorry

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