Build Your Emotional Runway Before You Burn Out
- Gaby Eichenlaub
- Sep 2
- 3 min read
Running a business takes a lot out of you. The long days, the constant decision-making, the pressure to grow, it all adds up. And yet, most founders don’t have a real system in place to check in on how they’re actually doing.
We recently hosted a conversation with Claudia Naim-Burt, co-founder and COO of Keep Company, to talk about what it really takes to sustain your energy while growing your business. Claudia shared a new framework for thinking about founder well-being, one that moves us from reactive to proactive, and helps us build companies that actually support our lives, not the other way around.
Burnout Isn’t Binary
We often think of burnout as something you hit. An end state. But burnout is often very present-tense. It's the constant overwhelm, the feeling that you're stretched too thin, the lack of motivation even when you're getting things done. And most of us are feeling some version of it long before we realize it. That’s where the term emotional runway comes in. Instead of waiting until you’ve burned out, emotional runway is about recognizing how long you can keep going at your current pace before you start to feel the effects. It’s a proactive way to tune in to your energy and capacity.
One helpful practice is conducting an "energy audit," a moment of reflection to identify what fuels you and what drains you. By getting clear on these inputs and outputs, you can start to make intentional choices about how to spend your time and protect your capacity. If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, you don’t have to wait for a breaking point. Start by asking yourself:
What gives me energy lately?
What drains me—no matter how important it feels?
Who takes care of me?
Managing Stress When You Can’t Step Away
Sometimes taking a break just isn’t an option. The business still needs you. But that doesn’t mean stress has to take the driver’s seat. Managing stress is less about adding self-care and more about aligning your decisions with your values. When you make decisions rooted in what matters most, rather than what you feel guilty about, you take back your power.
It can be as simple as shifting how you frame your choices:
Instead of "I have to do this," try "I'm choosing to do this because it supports my long-term goals."
Instead of cramming in one more task, ask, "What would it look like to finish this tomorrow with a clear head?"
Rather than feeling guilty about declining a meeting, reframe it as making space to be more present for something else that matters.
These small mindset shifts help you stay in the driver’s seat, even when you’re juggling a lot.
Build a Business That Supports Your Life
What if success didn’t mean pushing through exhaustion just to get ahead? What if the business you’re building actually supported your life instead of consuming it? Creating that kind of business takes intention. From setting non-negotiables to redefining what productivity looks like, founders can design companies that leave space for real life. But it starts with checking in and asking some honest questions:
What definition of success am I letting go of?
What part of my well-being have I put on hold?
What would a more sustainable version of growth look like for me?
Ready to put this into practice? Take some time for an Emotional Runway Check-In so you’re better equipped to set boundaries, protect your energy, and create systems that leave room for the life you want to live, not just the business you want to grow. Because at the end of the day, the business can’t thrive if you’re running on fumes.
About the Speaker
Claudia Naim-Burt is the co-founder and COO of Keep Company, a platform that creates groups that stick, at scale. Proven to reduce burnout, the Keep Company platform is powered by a now patented technology, and trusted by organizations around the world. Founded in 2022, Keep Company has been profiled in Forbes, recognized by Techstars and Melinda French Gates’ Pivotal Ventures, and SHRM as a leading Workplace Innovation. Keep Company has closed over $3M in venture capital financing, making Claudia one of only 250 Latinas to raise over $1M in venture capital.