Why do startups need to decelerate?

There are almost 30 days left until the start of the 9th Decelera edition, where more than 20 startups will decelerate in the island of Menorca during 10 days. During the past decade we have evaluated thousands of startups, shared life experiences with dozens and invested in a selected group. We have seen burnout, stress, frustration and much more, so nowadays we support Startups to relax, reflect and find positive changes through their Deceleration journey.

Starting and running a successful startup is an exciting and challenging journey. Many entrepreneurs and founders work tirelessly to build and scale their businesses as quickly as possible, often with the mindset that speed is the key to success. However, while growth is important, it’s equally important to know when to slow down and decelerate. On average, we as humans cannot sustain more than 11 days of constant acceleration. Meaning that a person subjected to more than 11 days in a row without proper sleep, a balanced diet, a social life, etc. can have strong adverse effects on his/her health.

Augusto Cury, psychiatrist, has called this accelerated way of living, the “Syndrome of the accelerated thinking“ and also referred to it as one of the biggest pains of this Century.

In this blog, we’ll explore why startups need to decelerate and the benefits it can bring to their business from what we have seen during our experience Decelerating Startups.

• Avoiding burnout

Working non-stop and focusing solely on growth can lead to burnout and exhaustion for founders and employees alike. Deceleration can help provide a much-needed break and allow everyone to recharge and refocus. This can lead to increased productivity and creativity in the long run.

Founders usually tend to deny their burnout to prevent the team from losing engagement with the company and to avoid disappointing everyone who supported the Startup in the past. But the truth is, as soon as you identify you are tired and losing energy, the better to prevent this from happening. Knowing how and when to Decelerate is key for success.

• Evaluating progress

Decelerating can give startups the time and space to evaluate their progress and reassess their goals. This can help them identify any areas where they may have gone off course and make necessary adjustments to get back on track. It can also help them identify new opportunities they may have overlooked in their pursuit of growth.

Talking about your challenges on the beach while watching the sun set is not the same as doing it in a cold meeting room. How our emotions are going to be expressed and shown will determine the flow of the conversation.

Evaluating the progress and your challenges outside a working environment is key to finding new solutions and thinking out of the box.

• Improving efficiency

Taking a step back and slowing down can help startups identify inefficiencies in their processes and operations. This can lead to streamlining processes, automating tasks, and increasing overall efficiency. In turn, this can lead to cost savings and increased profitability.

Also, dedicating time to think is something that can seem simple and less efficient in the short term, but on a regular day, Startups are living the “urgency of doing“ , creating an environment of reflection and disconnection for the daily routines, will help Founders on a long term to be more efficient and resolutive.

• Fostering innovation

Decelerating can give startups the time and space to focus on innovation and creative problem-solving. This can help them differentiate themselves from competitors, stay ahead of the curve, and identify new opportunities for growth.

The best way of doing that is not only talking about your challenges, but being able to hear other Startups challenges and feel identified or inspired.

• Building a sustainable business

Ultimately, decelerating can help startups build a more sustainable business. By taking the time to evaluate progress, improve efficiency, and foster innovation, startups can create a strong foundation for future growth. This can help them weather economic downturns, adapt to changing market conditions, and build a business that will last for years to come.

• Take care

Entrepreneurship is a marathon, not a sprint, and everything that helps complete it smoothly and relieve some hard times is more than welcome. Entrepreneurs are often in a position where mental health, personal space and self care is not usual, decelerating will put them in a mindset where healing both personally and professionally is possible.

From Decelera’s point of view, while speed and growth are important for startups, it’s equally important to know when to slow down and decelerate. Doing so can help startups avoid burnout, evaluate progress, improve efficiency, foster innovation, and build a sustainable business. By taking a step back and reassessing their approach, startups can position themselves for long-term success. We are not only focused on walking this path with entrepreneurs, we also prepare one of the calmest places in Europe to ensure the process is completed and they get the full experience. This is why Decelera happens in Menorca, where the pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters, and untouched landscapes provide the perfect backdrop for relaxation and disconnection from the outside world.

Hope you get to decelerate very soon!