Dear Ego...I Don’t Have Time to Breathe

👋🏼 Good Morning

It’s Wednesday, and your to-do list just gave you side-eye for opening this email.

If you’ve said, “I don’t even have 10 minutes to breathe—I have deadlines,” then this one’s for you.

But here’s a quiet truth:
If your day feels like a sprint from inbox to burnout, it might not be momentum. It might be avoidance dressed up as ambition.

Let’s talk about it.

This Week’s Theme: The Fear Behind The Hustle

Busyness isn’t always about productivity.
Sometimes, it’s about fear.

Fear of slowing down.
Fear of sitting with yourself.
Fear of what you’ll feel when the noise quiets.

And when rest feels dangerous, overworking starts to feel safe.

Dear Ego,

You say there’s no time to pause.
You say rest is earned, not allowed.
That slowing down means falling behind.

But I’m starting to see it clearly:

You don’t hate stillness because it’s unproductive.
You hate it because it’s quiet.
And in the quiet, I might hear the truth—
that I’m tired, misaligned, or building something I don’t even want anymore.

So you keep me busy.
You keep me sprinting.
Because as long as I’m moving, I don’t have to feel.

But here’s the thing:
Avoiding discomfort doesn’t prevent the crash.
It just delays it.

And I’m done mistaking busyness for bravery.
I don’t want a calendar full of noise.
I want a life full of clarity.

So I’m choosing space.
Not because I’m lazy—because I’m ready.

I’m ready to hear what I’ve been running from.
I’m ready to work from alignment, not adrenaline.

You don’t get to run the show anymore.

Stillness isn’t weakness.
It’s leadership.

—Me.

The Model: The Hustle Reflex

It starts as a spark. You get a hit of momentum.
Then it becomes a pattern:
Tension → Task → Temporary relief → Repeat

But if you're only working to silence the discomfort, you’re not building—you’re buffering.

Interrupt The Reflex: 3 Founder Reframes

• Pause Before You Push:
  Ask: Am I doing this from clarity or compulsion?

• Replace “Earned Rest” With “Built-In Rest”:
  Make space a strategy, not a reward.

• Set a 10-Minute Rule:
  Stillness isn’t a sabbatical. Take 10. Breathe. Then return.

Mirror Moment

What’s one thing you’re doing just to stay distracted?

Hit reply. Tell me. I’ve been there too.

Founder Fuel

Quote of the week:

“If you’re afraid of stillness, ask yourself: what do you think it will say to you?”

Make that your next sticky note.

The Inner Loop

Feeling like you can't spare even 10 minutes for a break? You're not alone. Many entrepreneurs find themselves in a cycle of constant busyness, often mistaking it for productivity. However, research highlighted in Harvard Business Review reveals that this relentless pace can lead to burnout, especially when driven by a lack of autonomy and purpose in one's work.

Harvard Business Review
​It's essential to recognize that taking intentional breaks isn't a sign of weakness but a strategic move toward sustainable success. By stepping back, even briefly, you allow yourself the space to reflect, recharge, and realign with your core values and goals.​

Remember, your worth isn't measured by how busy you are but by the impact and authenticity you bring to your work.

Until Next Time, Founders

-Seshan Nissanka

📌 P.S. Know a founder who confuses motion with meaning? Forward this. Stillness might be exactly what they need next.

Ready to grow or exit your business? Let’s talk.