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Ever started a business idea with massive excitement, only to abandon it months later when the initial rush wore off? Yeah, me too. About a handful of times in the last few years alone.
Rather than fixating on the problem, I’ve switched gears to focus on the solution. Since my go-to has always been business, and I’ve started over with countless online business ideas, starting this blog became my commitment this year. Yet the struggle has been real.
The Excuse-Making Phase
In the beginning, I kept looking for an excuse- something to blame as to why I couldn’t ever follow through. Why was I getting so sidetracked by every new shiny object that would fall in my path?
Half of it was the fear of wasting time on something I didn’t actually want to do, wasting time by making the wrong choice; you know the story. When you dedicate most of your life to your dream only for it not to be anything you wanted once you get it, yeah, the PTSD from that was real.
Yet there was also the full awareness of needing discipline, getting over the fear, and pursuing something before all the savings were depleted and my inconsistent attempts put me out on the street.
The Root of My Workaholic Problem
For me, I have a balancing issue. I’ve been a workaholic most of my life, and I realize that a portion of that was created as an escape from whatever was lingering within myself about my worth, along with the fear of lack and being afraid of never having enough.
Two issues drove a good portion of my life that, had I not taken a step back and slowed down, I would have never uncovered:
- Fear of not being worthy enough
- Deep-seated fear of scarcity
The next challenge was getting hung up on understanding these issues, then dealing with the guilt and shame that came with them. The inner battles of feeling like a failure, feeling broken because I couldn’t just be perfect at my next idea (perfectionism was also an issue as I worked through the long list of “what’s wrong with me”).
The Shiny Object Syndrome Trap
After a couple of years of rolling ideas around, starting projects only to realize they weren’t what I really wanted to do, I realized I just needed to commit to something. Here we are with the blog.
But a few months in, the boredom hit. The progress dwindled or didn’t show up to my expectations, and the initial rush of beginning something faltered to nothing exciting.
There was a process I went through to really sit and choose what exactly I wanted to do next. The world is my oyster, and with all the options and opportunities available, it was really hard not to get stuck in shiny object syndrome.
Yet with enough determination and understanding that nothing is forever, I chose to pick something based on my newfound values and priorities.
When Your Values Need an Update
Values are those things that pretty much guide every move you make in the process of what you want. Values were something I didn’t realize were such a huge portion of the equation. Once I sat and started really looking at what my perceived values were, I realized they hadn’t been updated since I was younger.
There’s nothing wrong with changing your mind- in fact, that’s part of growth, outgrowing what no longer serves you. To speak it out loud, it sounds silly to expect someone aged 19-23 to want the same things as someone 35-41, same with wanting the same thing when they’re 74-77.
My Value Evolution Process
My core values have remained the same: freedom, fun, adventure, and excitement. Yet the meaning behind these words has drastically changed as I’ve gotten older.
When I was younger, I utilized substances to get the rush of adventure and excitement along with the fun and freedom from my mental prison. Yet that’s not the direction I’m choosing to continue.
So the same words apply, yet with new meanings that involve me taking my power back and creating the world I want to live in:
Freedom – For starters I gave myself time freedom at the sacrifice of consistent income while I “figured out” what I wanted to do next career-wise. This involved learning to clear my mind through meditation and nervous system regulation techniques to break the barriers of my mental jail cell. Leading to this kind of freedom with no exact expected outcome, yet understanding the possibilities and opportunities I’m capable of pursuing without fear of old stories telling me I’m not capable- that’s the real freedom I was seeking all along.
Fun – Something I never allowed myself (w/o the condition of using substances) because I was always caught up in making the next buck and squirreling it away for a safety net “in case something happens.” Fun goes hand-in-hand with freedom and knocking down the barriers of lack while having the courage to pursue hobbies that don’t involve making money. Who would’ve thought it would require discipline to allow yourself to have fun while also balancing work ethic so you don’t starve?
Adventure & Excitement – Values I thought for so long I’d only be able to experience and be able to afford through the use of substances. Always living in a big-or-go-home mindset, my idea after getting sober was exploring different countries, being an adrenaline junkie, and putting myself in crazy situations. Big dreams for someone who can barely socialize in large social settings, yet that’s all I’ve craved for years. Something that drove the workaholic in me to make funds to afford expensive toys and hobbies. The reality is, it’s all in what you make it.
Breaking Free from the “Diagnosis” Trap
In the mix of learning about various diagnoses and the parallel between dangerous thrill-seekers and likely having some kind of ADD or ADHD, the fixation on the “label” almost had me frozen in helplessness. The helplessness of believing I would never be able to pursue anything because I was destined to never finish a project.
But those are only side effects. As they say, when you start to become aware, awareness is the majority of it- then it’s your choice in how you move forward.
Finding My Path Through Writing
Accepting that I would still be tickled pink to travel the world with a consistent income, solely relying on myself, writing seemed like a good fit. So here we are, typing away our inner thoughts, sharing what we’ve learned along the process in hopes that getting it out of my head will attach itself to the momentum moving forward.
The kicker is remembering the reason in the first place- fighting the shiny objects with the real push behind why you chose the direction you have. For me, the fear of commitment was the hurdle in the beginning. Now, a few months in with nothing “exciting” to show for it, I question why I even began.
Surviving the Inevitable Lull
I’m in the lull. Every new beginning eventually comes to a lull, and it’s up to you to continue pushing forward.
This is the pattern I’ve found myself in over and over again, mostly because I didn’t have my values in order. I’d forget the purpose that took me down the path and succumb to the boredom of not seeing the progress I’d hoped to achieve.
Here’s the truth: The lull is inevitable in anything- business, learning a new instrument, relationships, you name it. There’s going to be a lull after the initial excitement of starting something new.
But here’s something to remember if you find yourself at the ultimate low point: there’s nothing wrong with taking a step back and refocusing on the bigger picture. In fact, taking a little break and resting that death grip on “figuring it out” will actually allow you to see opportunities you may have missed in your tunnel vision.
The Balancing Act
This goes hand-in-hand with finding my balance between burnout and a steady speed that allows me to have a life while building something new. By no means am I an expert- I’m becoming frightfully aware of just how close I was to scrapping this blog in the first place. Posting a blog a day was too much for me to continue without taking a step back to see what kind of pivot or adjustment was needed to actually succeed.
It’s all an experiment. While it takes time for experiments to truly show their progress, if the desire is still burning inside for the potential outcomes, in my experience it’s worth finding the adjustment and starting over with what you’ve learned didn’t work.
My Adjustment Strategy
While I’m still very much big-or-go-home, I’m working on balance. For the last month or so, I’ve slowed down to publishing only once a week rather than the 6-7 posts I began with. Was it too drastic of a halt? Possibly. I probably would be doing better if I’d cut it in half rather than so drastically, yet here we are.
In the free time from stepping away, I won’t lie- there were shiny objects that bedazzled their way into my fixation of wanting to start something new. While I contemplated a few ideas (am still contemplating), a conversation with a friend brought me back on track to why I started this blog in the first place and reignited the whole desire to make it work.
The Bigger Picture
So many pieces fall into the puzzle for me. It’s not just about remembering the reason behind starting and committing to this project. It’s also about strengthening my solution skills and not giving up just because one attempt didn’t change my life.
What you do in one area of your life, you do in all areas of your life. For me to not give up so easily falls into my self-worth category, whether it be physical fitness, romantic partners, business, or whatever else I’ve been known to start and then give up on once a small inconvenience arises.
If you’re finding that these patterns are deeply affecting multiple areas of your life and causing significant distress, it might be worth exploring professional support through online therapy. Sometimes having an objective perspective can help you break cycles that feel impossible to escape on your own.
Your Level in the Game
The lull is inevitable. It happens to everybody in almost all circumstances. It’s the peaks and valleys of life. Some say it’s the universe testing you to see if you truly want what you say you want.
To those who are comfortable in the storm, it’s the green light to reassess what’s working and what isn’t working and create the plan to level up their game.
What level are you on?
The 4-Step Process I’m Using to Recommit to My Goals
After going through this cycle multiple times, here’s what I’ve learned works:
- Values Audit – Sit down and honestly assess if your current values match who you are now, not who you were five years ago
- Purpose Reminder – Write down why you started and keep it visible during the inevitable lull
- Sustainable Pace – Find a rhythm you can maintain long-term, not just during the excitement phase
- Storm Comfort – Learn to see challenges as opportunities to level up rather than reasons to quit
Remember, overcoming entrepreneurial burnout isn’t about pushing through at all costs. It’s about finding a sustainable way to pursue what matters to you while honoring who you’re becoming in the process. Research shows that entrepreneurs face higher rates of mental health challenges, so you’re definitely not alone in this struggle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long does the “lull” typically last?
A: The lull can last anywhere from a few weeks to several months, depending on the project and your personal patterns. The key isn’t waiting for it to pass but learning to work productively within it. In my experience, the lull often signals it’s time to reassess and adjust your approach rather than abandon ship entirely.
Q: What if I keep switching between projects and never finish anything?
A: This was my exact pattern for years. The solution isn’t forcing yourself to stick with something that doesn’t align with your updated values. Instead, do the values audit I mentioned and choose projects based on your current priorities, not past versions of yourself. Also, consider whether perfectionism is making you abandon projects before they have a chance to develop.
Q: How do you know when to pivot vs. when to push through?
A: Ask yourself: Is this boredom/resistance coming from the natural lull that happens in every project, or is this project fundamentally misaligned with who I am now? If you still feel excited about the potential outcome but frustrated with the process, that’s usually a sign to adjust your approach, not abandon the goal.
Q: Should I seek professional help for entrepreneurial burnout?
A: If the patterns of starting and stopping are affecting multiple areas of your life, causing significant distress, or if you’re dealing with deeper issues around self-worth and perfectionism, professional support can be incredibly helpful. Many entrepreneurs benefit from therapy that understands the unique challenges of building something from scratch.
Ready to Break Your Own Cycles?
If this post resonated with you, you’re not alone in this struggle; and you don’t have to figure it out by yourself.
Get my FREE 7-Day “Say Yes” Starter Pack and begin your own transformation:
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This isn’t about adding another shiny object to your collection. It’s about finally understanding what you truly want so you can commit to it with clarity and confidence.
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What’s your experience with the entrepreneurial lull? Have you found strategies that help you push through, or are you in the thick of it right now? Drop a comment below and let’s support each other through this journey.
Reborn MeatSuit 
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