1. What are the downsides of being the boss?
The role of being a CEO can be awfully lonely. It is rare that people understand. There should be group therapy sessions where startup founders vent to each other about the similar, yet unique, difficulties we face. Even when we share our stories with each other, we can still feel alone. That is an odd feeling.
2. What are the upsides of being the boss?
You can make your own hours, kind of. On average, I may work 60–70 hours a week, but I sometimes get to choose when I have lunch. My lunch could be an hour, two hours, or ten minutes. Autonomy, or perception of autonomy, has always been dear to me.
3. What tips do you have for reducing the stress of being the boss?
Remind yourself, “This too shall pass.” Everything is transitory. Every headache or heartache, every tedious day, every celebration or vacation shall pass. Vacation days are the worst. I feel out of control and helpless.
Meditation helps me a great deal: mindfulness and transcendental.
Other Tips: Be sure to stand up. Work standing up sometimes. Be sure to step outside into the daylight at least once per day. Wake up in the morning and look out at the green earth before looking at a screen. Be sure to turn all devices on silent for at least nine hours. This gives you eight hours of sleep plus one hour of downtime before bed. Blue light glasses at night are great to help the brain wind down.
That’s some of what I have! I hope it’s helpful.
-Adam David Jones, Founder and CEO of Zeer, www.zeersafe.com
