Is Being a Leader Feeling Tiring and Draining? You’re Not Alone.

Being a leader can be tiring during the best of times. 

When you’re in a leadership position, you are in a place where a lot of weight is on your shoulders. Others are looking to you for guidance, and your decisions could be make or break for your team. This is why an entrepreneur’s mental health is so important.

And the worst part - if you’re a founder or entrepreneur, you probably are the only person doing exactly what you’re doing in exactly the way you’re doing it. What do I mean by that? Of course, there are many other founders doing similar things, and depending on your industry, they are doing many of the same things. But the way you lead, the person you are, the support you give, and even how you make your decisions all affect the consequences of your leadership. And that means you’ll be going on a journey that is at least somewhat completely unique to you.

And that can make it lonely. 

Sometimes it feels like even the people closest to you don’t understand exactly what you’re going through. It could feel like wading through a swamp, or navigating through a minefield, or trekking through a blizzard. 

But the ironic part of feeling lonely in this way is that you aren’t alone in feeling this way. 

And that’s the first of three things I want to pass onto all the leaders, founders, and entrepreneurs reading this who need a motivation boost right now. 

You aren’t alone in feeling alone. 

So, as I mentioned above, being a leader of any kind can feel incredibly lonely. But it can help to understand that human beings share a connection beyond just intellectual conversation. We share energy, we share pain, we share joy. We are connected beings, which means that there are people who understand how you feel, even if they don’t understand why, or haven’t been through exactly the same thing. 

My challenge to you is to find your community. Even during the pandemic, you can find them online. Perhaps you can choose to connect online through a video call with all the people you haven’t seen since the pandemic - remind yourself of those all-important connections. 

And even those people who are closest to you, who might not understand what you’re going through, are still people who can help you. Not by being experts and helping you themselves, but by allowing you to help yourself by listening to you and letting you get your thoughts out loud. Leadership, and the weight that comes with it, is hard to understand. So naturally, there is a good chance you don’t fully understand it yourself. Take some time to speak your thoughts out loud, and you’ll slowly find that you have some of the answers for yourself, you just haven’t given yourself a chance to explore them yet. 

Communication is key!

I don’t just mean “key” as in “important”. Communication is literally a necessity to unlock change. Without communication, we struggle to understand what meaningful actions need to be taken.

For others, we don’t know exactly what they need or want without communication, so how could we make a change?

Even for ourselves, you could once again find without communicating to others or out loud for yourself could mean you don’t actually know what’s going on in your head. 

Many people think that being a leader or in any position of responsibility means that you must hide difficult situations from people. As a result, we chose not to communicate about problems, difficulties, challenges we need to overcome, and even new ideas (because we try so hard to hide things that might be positive too, just in case they disappear). Just ask anyone with a parent who never told them anything - it makes it a lot harder to trust them through difficulty, and you’re left feeling anxious and in limbo.

Take some time to explore how you communicate, and how often. If your communication is lacking, you’ll probably find you’re making your time as a leader more difficult, and even if you think it’s for a “good reason” and that you need to “be strong for everyone else” - you’re making your relationships weaker, which will tire you out over time and exacerbate that weight on your shoulders. 

Boost Your Motivation with Intentional Practices

No matter how difficult, draining, or tiring being a leader can be, strengthening your mind and clearing your thoughts is how you take control of all of those overwhelming feelings. It’s your mind, so only you can know it. If you’re already tired, doing even more can sound like such a daunting task. But if you want to be a great leader, it’s up to you to make time to do the things that will ultimately save you time. And not just time, but heartache and energy. 

Many people get into leadership roles or become leaders themselves - such as through an organisation of their own - to change their lives or the way they work. But that doesn’t make them happy. In fact, the most unhappy people in the world tend to be the ones with the most money, because so much has gone into the superficial things that they haven’t focused on real enjoyment, excitement, and deep satisfaction. That’s no sweeping statement - it’s billionaires who struggle the most with true happiness.

Leadership requires a lot of energy, and maintaining that energy starts with taking control of yourself. Fortunately, there are countless ways to boost your motivation—techniques that have been honed over centuries.

From meditation and exercise to affirmations and even a simple hug, there are countless strategies to increase motivation. For leaders, finding quick, effective practices that fit into your daily schedule can make all the difference.

Why Strengthening Your Mind Matters
No matter how tiring or draining leadership can be, strengthening your mind and clearing your thoughts is how you regain control over those overwhelming feelings. It's your mind, and only you truly understand it. However, if you're already feeling exhausted, taking on even more might sound daunting. But to be a great leader, you must make time for the practices that will ultimately save you time, energy, and heartache.

Building Lasting Habits for Leadership Satisfaction

Many people take on leadership roles to change their lives or improve the way they work. But success and power alone do not guarantee happiness. In fact, some of the wealthiest people struggle the most with finding true joy and satisfaction.

The key isn’t just in achieving external goals but in cultivating inner contentment and motivation. So, take the time to develop habits that make your time as a leader more rewarding, both for yourself and for those you lead.

Leadership is a Marathon, Not a Sprint

Leadership is challenging, but it doesn’t have to be lonely or overwhelming. By recognizing that you’re not alone, communicating openly, and practising motivation-boosting habits, you can maintain your energy and find joy in your role.

“Remember, being a leader is not just about guiding others; it’s about guiding yourself through the toughest times with resilience, empathy, and courage.”

If you want to learn more about ALL the elements of great leaders, whether it’s about character or skill, I’ve written a free e-book that gives a download of multiple perspectives and practical insights. Grab it for free here.

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About Seven

Hey friends! I’m Seven - I write about challenges and opportunities affecting leaders across business. I release a weekly newsletter and a podcast, helping folks understand the leadership journeys and challenges out there, so we can better understand our purpose, place, and potential. The goal: to learn about what it means to be a leader, to support leaders, to find leaders, and to discover the leader within.

I’m delighted to have received so many kind words about my newsletter, other writings, and content - so if you’d like to join the ride for free, please keep up to date by subscribing to my newsletter. Weekly thought pieces and updates, and no selling 😜

Lots of love, and here’s to your success!