Laura Shook Guzman, LMFT

There’s an unspoken agreement in the entrepreneurial ecosystem, not to share our vulnerabilities and it’s costing us our mental health. Let’s break the silence, together.

Gender inequality is still a reality that too many face. Speaking out is essential to creating a world where every person, regardless of gender, has equal opportunities. Thank you @Malala for #educating others on the importance of speaking up. #womenshistorymonth

We see the world through the lens of our own experience, bias, trauma, and desire. The ability to separate your personal truth from “objective truth” is a difficult but important skill that needs to be practiced every. single. day.

Let’s treat Rest as an essential business skill. Who’s with me?

@AmandaMGoetz Absolutely, well articulated. Serious burnout recovery started in 2021, been in the rebalancing phase for awhile and starting to feel the spark again!!! Going through this cycle as a founder is hard but truly transformational. Consciousness is key.

Ambition drives us. But, if left unchecked, it can also drive us into a wall. I can now look back and see a common cycle in my life. The Cycle of Ambition Phase 1: The spark You envision the life you want. Perhaps you see someone with a career, status or lifestyle and you decide you want it. You see a possible path to get there or at least know where to find the flashlight to see it. This is your high energy, quasi delusional state. You feel as though you can conquer the world and have an endless amount of energy to do so. Phase 2: The setback Something happens along your path and your confidence is shaken. You aren’t sure if you’re cut out for it or even want the thing you previously set out to get. This setback has you questioning everything and you hit a proverbial wall. You decide you can’t do it. You are balancing a two-part paralysis: fear of failing and fear of what would happen if you try and move forward. Phase 3: The phoenix A validating email. Leading a great meeting. Hitting a milestone. Seeing a motivational TikTok. Something pulls you out of the valley. You feel like a phoenix rising out of the ashes and push even harder than before towards your goal or dream. Phase 3 can last for months or even years but eventually it catches up to you. Phase 4: The burnout It starts slowly, almost undetected. At first it’s a bit of anxiety, then it’s a loss of motivation or ability to focus and prioritize. You take a day off to do your normal self care routine and yet it’s not working. You may even take a vacation. But you come back still crippled with overwhelm and anxiety. You finally realize you can’t keep pushing like you were in Phase 3. Your health is suffering. Phase 5: The rebalance Acknowledging the burnout, you intentionally shift gears. Rebalancing isn't just about rest; it's a recalibration of priorities. You do all the things. Focus on your health and wellness, take the foot off the pedal and start to feel centered and calm. Then....a spark happens....and you find a new dream. A new goal to chase. And the cycle repeats itself. Does this resonate with anyone? Where are you in your cycle? If this resonates and you are trying to break the cycle, you'd love my newsletter to 35,000 ambitious people looking to stop the burnout cycle. Weekly actionable learnings of how to redefine ambition. Sign up at amandagoetz(.)com

@thesamparr I’m in! ATX 🔥

OK folks, lil announcement: At Hampton we're testing in person Core groups. This is your 8 person group who you meet with monthly. Digital's great, but some people want in person. We're potentially making Core groups in: - NYC - Austin - LA - Chicago - San Fran My Core group has changed my life tbh. Made me see so much more is possible than I previously thought. Made my biz better, my life happier...and frankly, fun as shit. If interested...tell me here: joinhampton.com

@aaronwhoughton 💯 we are taught, rewarded, encouraged, pushed to develop a strong work ethic/productivity. Yet when do we learn the skills of slowing down and recharging? 99% of my work with clients is centered in teaching skills of rest and energetic recovery. Thanks for spotlighting this!

Founders, you think working hard is hard? Try resting and recovering. Way harder. I’ve had no fewer than five conversations about this exact topic with very successful entrepreneurs who are on the brink of exhaustion this week. And I’m there myself right now, recovering from something viral I caught traveling last week. The entrepreneurial mind gets wired for productivity and the gratification that comes from progress. That’s why we build so many things. Then, when we pause to restore our mental and physical resources, we feel ineffective and unsatisfied. It mentally hurts. It’s really hard. Resist the urge to move when you need to rest. Remind yourself that rest and stillness are the most effective things you can do now to be productive later.

@naveed_l @galeforceVC @Founder_Pledge Hello @naveed_l and yes! +1 for @FoundersPledge - it’s also listed in the resource page I curated.

@LShookGuzman @galeforceVC Also check out @Founder_Pledge Thank you

I just heard of two founders who recently took their lives, at least one because their startup was failing. 😢 Starting a company is hard…and mental health is a real thing we should talk more about. 🙏 reach out to someone if you need help. Sending everyone good energy. ✨

This right here ⬇️. And the protective systems we developed in our family of origin will be provoked in the experiences we have in our business. The more conscious and compassionate we become towards these protective parts, the more choice we have to choose new responses.

Honored to be joining @CatJohnson along with 116+ space operators registered for Friday's Coworking Convo. Topic : Staying engaged and inspired as a community builder. I will be sharing my best energy management practices to help sustain your superpowers bit.ly/4b6Q3c0

According to the @wef Future of Jobs 2023 report, qualities of emotional intelligence such as resilience, curiosity, lifelong learning, motivation & self-awareness, are critical for leadership success and innovation. Reminder, EQ isn't a soft skill ⬇️ forbes.com/sites/rachelwe…

Take an hour to process stress and build resilience. Join us this Friday at noon PT Eventbrite here: zurl.co/CJX8 #leadership #resilience #startups

On a recent hike, I spoke with a friend about the difference between being alone and feeling lonely. In my office, I’ve heard many people talk about loneliness, the kind that is timeless and familiar as well as the kind that seems specific to this era. I dive deeper into this topic in this month's newsletter, available through the link below. bit.ly/3TobDmi

Burnout is a risk for every founder. Building your resilience as a founder, allows you to maintain clarity through the ups and the downs. One part of resilience is understanding your stress triggers. Do this on your own or with a coach-->zurl.co/KbUI #startups #pilea

Join us this Friday (12pm PT | 3pm ET) for a breathwork practice to calm stress, and build resilience. If you are feeling burnt out- this is a sign to support your nervous system! zurl.co/5Jeo #wellness #leadership #startups #burnout twitter.com/messages/compo…

friendly reminder that if your body is forcing you to stop (getting poorly, feeling run down, fatigue, aches and pains) then it’s probably a sign that you should listen to it and rest

Are you balancing hustle vs. self care. In times like this, ⚖️ is more important than ever. forbes.com/sites/theyec/2…

I'm not even trying to be the best. Why? Being the best steers you in the wrong direction Being the best requires others to be worse Instead, I'm aiming for great. By my own definition. leadinsideout.substack.com/p/why-im-not-g…

If some of y'all put as much energy into inner work as you do your "habits" "routines" and "productivity" you might have far more significant results.

@Dr_MatthewJones Was just seeing more productivity hacks and products in my threads - with no mention of mental health!! - and thinking the same thing. Well said 👏