Being an entrepreneur certainly has its ups and downs. For every peak, it seems there’s a valley waiting around the corner and vice versa. While a lot of the discussion surrounding entrepreneurship focuses on ambition, creativity and the sense of fulfillment people get when they build something out of nothing, the reality is that a lot of entrepreneurs sometimes feel lonely, stressed out, anxious, burnt out and empty.

A lot of times leaders or entrepreneurs are ‘assumed’ to be strong. The default image or the success stories have created an image of a ‘superhuman’ who is always motivated, witty, tireless, emotionally strong and unaffected by any circumstances. This ‘ideal leader ‘ image has unconsciously created an ecosystem where leaders or entrepreneurs don’t allow themselves to maintain good mental health, it has become a fight of one against oneself where the leaders find it too difficult to accept any botherations and ask for help.

The research discovered that 49 percent of entrepreneurs surveyed were dealing with at least one mental illness (such as attention deficit disorder (ADD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), bipolar disorder, addiction, depression or anxiety) and roughly one-third of entrepreneurs struggle with two or more mental illnesses. If mental health issues go unaddressed, they can have debilitating side effects — some of which may be detrimental to business. Certain issues can have negative effects on decision-making and confidence, which can diminish an entrepreneur’s effectiveness as a leader.

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The current GDP growth rate is around 7% which we as a nation aspire to reach 10%in the next 2 to 3 years, this jump can only be catered by entrepreneurship. The collective effects of having an education system that does not actively promote entrepreneurship and risk adaptive behavior amongst the youth, a low ( 14% )participation of women despite having the world’s third-largest startup ecosystemin the world and a non-healthy entrepreneurial workforce is not a very healthy sign for the Indian Startup ecosystem

The unrealistic expectations and a lack of conversations on such issues collectively do not allow leaders to step up and accept what they are going through. It is truly said that entrepreneurship comes with a psychological price and the taboo that ‘leaders are always strong’ needs to be shattered.

We all are leaders and human beings, undoubtedly a leader or an entrepreneur needs to master a lot of attributes like patience, focus, determination, perseverance but not at the stake of mental peace or illness. It’s common to hear the depression stories about actors, artists, cricketers but leaders are often assumed to be ‘weak’ and ‘incapable’ to run and expand organizations. These kinds of mindsets often give birth to discrimination on the basis of gender and age at organizations, businesses, and companies.

FEW SUGGESTED SOLUTIONS TO THE WARRIORS OUT THERE ARE –

Try and take out time for self-work ( at least twice a day),self-work might include working out, meditating, cycling, reading self-help books or maybe just sitting idle and doing absolutely nothing. Learn to spend some time with your loved ones, the journey of entrepreneurship is usually a solo journey with uncertainty and a lot of bumps, so do not forget to be with your supporters Additionally, it is extremely important to make this dialogue stronger and the conversations heard. The only way to make a change is to know the stories, the struggles, and the hustle!