1/ Yesterday, I spoke with a founder battling imposter syndrome, burnout, and anxiety. After 6 years as a founder myself, I shared my biggest lesson: consistent routines are essential regardless of your current mindset.

2/ Too many of us only establish routines when we're struggling. That's reactive, not proactive. We make changes, see progress, feel that founder high—then abandon the very practices that got us there.

3/ I shared this analogy: Think of your mind as New Orleans (where I lived for 10 years) and negative thoughts as floodwaters. Your routine is the levee system protecting you.

4/ The levees need maintenance when there's no storm in sight. Similarly, mental health routines require consistency during good times, not just when you're drowning in anxiety.

5/ This founder was trying to build routines while already underwater. I explained that the real work happens during calm periods—strengthening those defenses before the next storm hits.

7/ Find equilibrium, have confidence, execute accordingly. The most resilient founders aren't those who weather storms best—they're those who maintain their levees year-round.

6/ When you're feeling confident and successful, that's precisely when you should double down on your routines. They're not crutches to discard when things improve.