How To Thrive Beyond Entrepreneurial Burnout – 5 Insights From The Jungle You Need To Know
- Brainz Magazine
- Sep 5, 2024
- 6 min read
Written by Jayne Robinson, Spiritual Coach & Advisor
Jayne Robinson, skilled intuitive spiritual advisor and coach. Director of JR Coaching, Founder of the Good Initiative and soon-to-be-published author (2025, NYC Times Square)
In the high-octane world of entrepreneurship, burnout is a pervasive and often debilitating challenge. It’s a familiar scenario: operating at full throttle, juggling multiple tasks, and burning the candle at both ends until one day you find yourself unable to move forward. But what if the answers to overcoming this struggle could be found in the most unexpected places? The lessons gleaned from living in this serene yet demanding environment have equipped me with five invaluable insights that transformed how I soared past burnout and lived a spiritually aligned life. After all, it often feels like we’re navigating through a jungle of our own in the world of entrepreneurship.
My own journey through burnout
Firstly, let me give you the backstory with my own dance with the devil: burnout.
It’s the early hours of the morning of my 35th birthday, embarking on an exciting adventure we climb higher and higher into the clear blue skies in the tiniest plane you can imagine. I spot three whales gracefully swimming in the ocean below. What should have been a spectacularly special day quickly turned into a moment of profound numbness. As I skydived into the open air, I felt nothing—clearly a signal that something needed to change.
Fast forward 20 months later, taking a break to reset by visiting the healing centres of Bali, an elite mentorship in the Tuscan countryside, and attending a business retreat in Colombia, I intuitively found myself being called to Nosara, Costa Rica—a rustic slice of paradise in the jungle.
Arriving in yet another small plane, this time, my mind filled with fresh air, excitement, and a sense of freedom. Having spent over three months here, I’ve absorbed countless lessons from the natural rhythms of this environment. Here are five key insights that have reshaped my approach to managing burnout and thriving as an entrepreneur.
1. Embrace the natural rhythm: Align your work with your energy levels
In the jungle, everything operates in harmony with the natural cycles of day and night. Similarly, entrepreneurs can benefit from aligning their work with their own natural rhythms. Learn to listen to your body, it is always speaking to you. Identify your peak energy times and schedule your most important tasks during these periods. This alignment helps maintain productivity and reduces the risk of burnout.
It’s also essential that instead of pushing and forcing, allow rest and time and space for rejuvenation. We have been brainwashed by society to be constantly doing. What if your lack of motivation or no fresh ideas or an inability to know what to do next is all part of the process. I’m not suggesting to quit and give up when the going gets tough but maybe it has dried up for a reason. Accepting unproductive days as a normal part of the cycle is crucial. It may seem counterintuitive, but embracing these moments of stillness is vital for balance. Instead of questioning your worth based on productivity, focus on receiving the benefits of rest and renewal. I promise it’s part of the natural yin and yang of life and will make you far more productive in the long run.
In my coaching practice and yet again my own experience, I frequently observe that high-achieving entrepreneurs struggle with the concept of stillness and rest. For many, pausing feels like an impossible task and breaking away from constant activity is challenging. This difficulty often stems from deeply ingrained beliefs, such as: "If I’m not doing something, who am I? What defines my worth if it’s not success or wealth?" To overcome this, the key is to disrupt these patterns and make room for new possibilities. Embrace the space created by rest and allow it to bring fresh insights and opportunities.
2. Be like a crab – Find a new shell when you outgrow the old!
One day, while walking along the long stretch of beach in Nosara contemplating my next chapter, I felt overwhelmed and desperate for a sign “God, just give me a damn sign!!! I said to myself, frustrated” I sat on a log and as I watched the waves of the ocean roll in I placed my head in my hands, tears welled up when I felt something on my foot. Looking down I noticed the tiny crab and many of its friends crawling around my feet. This unexpected encounter felt like a message: crabs symbolize resilience, adaptability by shedding old shells when they have outgrown them, protection, and wisdom.
Just as crabs shed their old shells to grow, entrepreneurs should be willing to let go of outdated ideas and embrace new opportunities. Listening to these inner nudges can guide you toward meaningful transformation instead of spinning wheels pushing and forcing old ways and dying concepts.
Your soul is giving you nudges and clues every step of the way. It’s important to listen to them to avoid further burnout and misery.
3. Prioritise self-care: The importance of regular rejuvenation
Living in the jungle during the rainy season taught me to be intentional about how I spend my time. Particularly when the only mode of transport you have is a quad bike and getting caught in heavy downpours and extreme heat has led to the death of many laptops due to water damage and overheating (mine was no exception!) I learned to make the most of sunny moments and focus on mental health and connection. Taking breaks, whether through social interactions or personal relaxation, significantly impacts well-being.
For entrepreneurs, self-care is essential, not a luxury. Incorporate regular breaks, fresh air, exercise, and healthy eating into your routine. Whether it’s time to relax, connect with others, or invest in yourself, these practices help recharge your energy and prevent burnout.
4. Adaptability: Learn to adjust and thrive amidst uncertainty
The jungle's unpredictability highlights the crucial role of adaptability. In an environment where essentials are limited, luxuries are either scarce or costly, and familiar stores and products are non-existent, I quickly learned to let go of what no longer mattered—like my favourite chocolate and low-tox deodorant. This experience mirrored the entrepreneurial journey, where uncertainty and change are constant, and adaptability is essential.
Embrace flexibility in your plans and strategies. Letting go of what doesn’t align with your goals reduces stress and prevents overwhelm. Learning to adapt and release outdated projects or responsibilities can create space for new opportunities and enhance your flow.
5. Build a support system: Community as a source of strength
In the jungle, survival often hinges on cooperation and community. In Nosara, I was struck by the strength of the local support network, which included WhatsApp groups for every conceivable need—sharing event updates, arranging car rides, buying and selling items, and more. The sense of community was truly remarkable. For instance, one day, just before a crucial Zoom coaching session, my laptop malfunctioned, freezing and rebooting repeatedly due to said laptop death in the extreme weather conditions I mentioned earlier. With my livelihood at stake, I was disheartened and worried. However, when I reached out to one of the chat groups to borrow a laptop, I was astonished by the response. A complete stranger I had never met before offered me theirs, saying, “No problem, I have one. Someone lent me theirs when I needed it, and I’d love to pay it forward.” Such acts of generosity were not rare but a daily norm, reflecting a level of community support I had never experienced before.
For entrepreneurs, building a strong support network is vital. Surround yourself with mentors, peers, and supportive friends who have been there, done that and can offer advice, encouragement, and perspective. A solid support system can help you navigate challenges and mitigate feelings of isolation and burnout.
Conclusion
The lessons learned from living in the jungle provide valuable insights into managing burnout and enhancing resilience as an entrepreneur. By embracing natural rhythms, finding new opportunities when needed, prioritizing self-care, adapting to change, and building a support system, you can create a more balanced and sustainable approach to your entrepreneurial journey. Even in the most challenging environments, there are lessons that guide us toward a healthier and more fulfilling path.
You might be pleasantly surprised by the results, as I was. Adopting this way of living led to working less, forming lifelong connections, receiving more, and everything aligning for my highest good—without the need to worry, push, or force anything.
Jayne Robinson, Spiritual Coach & Advisor
Jayne Robinson is an intuitive spiritual advisor and coach. As the Director of JR Coaching and an avid student of life, Jayne is much like the phoenix rising, leaning into her edge of personal development, emerging from her own transformations and spiritual quests time and time again. As such she is dedicated to helping clients do the same, to create a vibrant new chapter in their lives. Supporting successful entrepreneurs and individuals searching for more to move beyond boredom and burnout, guiding them through a spiritual voyage of uncertainty and fear to a transformative metaphorical death to rebirth. Her mission: embrace discomfort, uncover hidden possibilities, and transform your life.
.jpg)
