By Bryanna Lapiner
The World Health Organization has included burnout in the 11th Revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) as an occupational phenomenon resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed.
While burnout is possible in any career, entrepreneurial work results in burnout differently than other jobs. A founder of a company can create their own working hours and possess a stronger passion for the success of the company they work for. However, when a person has founded their own business, these feelings of burnout can take a toll, and there is often no time to take a day off. However, this feeling is countered by a strong sense of belonging and fulfillment from work. Entrepreneurs are met with a strong match between career goals and their position at the company.
Kristen “KiKi” Wilkinson, founder of Thrive Mind Collaborative, has navigated her way through burnout, both in her professional and personal life. Thrive Mind Collaborative builds individualized paths to provide solutions for team development, coaching and leadership support while helping clients navigate challenges and integrate strategies.
“Burnout has been a recurring theme in my life, showing up in different ways – first when my son was born with a rare disease and I juggled being his medical advocate while working full-time, then during IVF when I tried to outrun emotional exhaustion with overwork, and later in my corporate career when I tied my identity to my role at the company I worked for,” Wilkinson said. “Each time, burnout wasn’t just about being tired – it was about emotional depletion, loss of self, and the realization that pushing through wasn’t sustainable.”
Kiki Wilkinson, a professional business consultant and leadership coach, founded and scaled Airbnb’s internal Trust & Safety programs and has trained dozens of small and large-scale company leaders. Carrying multiple roles throughout her career as an employee, entrepreneur, founder and mother, there have been plenty of opportunities for workplace stress.
Through these times of burnout, Kiki was able to create methods to prevent a burnout spiral. She highlights the importance of rest to reach success and celebrating small steps rather than only the larger milestones. Advice like this has helped her avoid burnout, as well as provide solutions to her clients when they face similar circumstances.
Wilkinson suggests spending time figuring out what fulfills you. Take a breath and rest when you can, and create a sustainable routine that leaves time for work, rest and celebration. Carry compassion for yourself and document your accomplishments to look back on and acknowledge your hard work.
Kiki Wilkinson also prioritizes alignment. When she transitioned her career to focus on leadership coaching and consulting, she felt a connection to this new path that aligned with her purpose. She discovered that helping others reach their full potential allowed her to do the same and allowed her to create a more sustainable, rewarding career path.
“Burnout doesn’t care about boundaries,” Kiki said. “It creeps in when we’re carrying too much, in any area of life. Recognizing that has helped me build a more sustainable approach, one that acknowledges my full humanity rather than forcing myself into an impossible version of “balance,” when it’s really about trade offs.”
Over the years, Kiki highlights that “self-compassion is essential; each burnout season has been a lesson, and while I don’t wish for a sixth round, I know that if it comes, I’ll be better prepared.”
For more advice, visit her website blog and discover ways to find the right balance.
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