Real habits from real entrepreneurs who are building sustainable businesses without losing themselves in the process.
Burnout doesn’t always come crashing in.
Sometimes it’s subtle.
You find yourself opening 12 tabs and forgetting what you needed.
You’re working… but nothing’s moving.
You’re busy… but nothing feels like it’s getting done.
If you’ve been living in that blurry space between ambition and exhaustion, you’re not alone.
We asked the Shortcuts Squad—creators, solopreneurs, and entrepreneurs—how they protect their energy while building something they believe in.
This is what we found: the ones who stay in the game? They play it differently.
Here’s how.
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1. Slow mornings set the tone
Before touching email. Before touching the to-do list.
They start with stillness—sometimes it’s a few deep breaths, sometimes it’s journaling, sometimes it’s prayer.
From the Squad:
“Starting the day with prayer, meditation, or Bible study for grounding”
“Practicing mindfulness and breathwork for mental clarity”
These aren’t hour-long routines. They’re tiny rituals to anchor the day before the world rushes in.
Try this: Give yourself 5 minutes. No phone. Just you. A stretch. A sip of tea. A quiet reset.
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2. Move to get unstuck
When their minds feel foggy or the work feels heavy, they don’t push harder.
They move.
It might be a walk. A kitchen dance break. A stretch on the floor while the dog joins in.
From the Squad:
“Regular walks, especially with dogs, for problem-solving and creativity”
“Using exercise and movement as a way to shift stuck energy and solve problems”
Movement clears mental clutter—and sometimes that’s all you need to find your next step.
Try this: Step away before the spiral. A 10-minute walk can do more for your clarity than another 10 minutes staring at the screen.
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3. Focus happens in sprints
Productivity isn’t about doing more.
It’s about protecting your best brain time—and using it well.
From the Squad:
“Breaking the day into 90-minute chunks with regular breaks”
“Protecting large blocks of time for focused work”
Many creators build their day around one or two focused sprints—and then protect that time like it’s sacred.
Try this: One task. 90 minutes. No multitasking. Then step away. Let your brain breathe.
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4. Boundaries are the business plan
They don’t work until they drop.
They don’t check Slack from bed.
They set a clear line between “work” and “not work”—and they honor it.
From the Squad:
“Setting clear boundaries between work and non-work time”
This isn’t always easy. But it’s necessary. Because building something meaningful requires rest, too.
Try this: Pick a time to shut the laptop every day. Give your brain something to look forward to. Dinner. A walk. A dumb comedy show.
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5. Maintenance beats recovery
Hydration. Blue-light blockers. Creative brain breaks.
These aren’t hacks. They’re maintenance.
The Squad members who stay grounded don’t wait until they crash—they build in small ways to refuel every day.
From the Squad:
“Prioritizing hydration with scheduled reminders”
“Using blue-light blocking glasses and near-infrared light for better sleep”
“Incorporating creative activities like Zentangle (mindful doodling)”
Try this: Set two 5-minute breaks into your calendar. Use them. Not for Instagram. For you.
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6. Joy isn’t optional
You’ll find this over and over again in their responses:
Joy is part of the process. Not something they earn after hitting a revenue goal.
From the Squad:
“Making time for family and pets”
“Finding joy in simple daily activities”
“Maintaining strong community connections”
This is what fuels the work. A moment of laughter. A shared meal. A call with a friend who gets it.
Try this: What’s one little thing that makes you feel alive? Schedule it. Honor it. Protect it like it’s work—because it kind of is.
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Final note
Burnout isn’t just about overworking.
It’s about building a life where there’s no room to rest.
And that’s a blueprint none of us want to follow.
The new way?
Build slowly.
Honor your energy.
Keep joy in the room.
And trust that the shortcut isn’t always speed—sometimes, it’s sustainability.