I haven’t taken a salary in 17 months. It sucks.
Sometimes I worry. Sometimes I lose confidence in my self worth. But the sacrifice is necessary to keep the business going towards the vision I have for it, as quickly as possible.
I maintain sanity by keeping seeing progress. Set the vision. Set the strategy. Execute.
As long as those milestones are met, it’s easier to hit “Skip” on your name every two weeks when it’s time to run payroll.
But it’s still not easy. That’s why I wanted to see how others maintain their sanity in the gut wrenching times of getting a startup, started.
How Do You Maintain Sanity at Work When You’re Not Taking a Salary?
Working without a salary can be a challenging experience, but it’s not uncommon for entrepreneurs and startup founders. To help you maintain your sanity during this period, we’ve gathered insights from 10 professionals who have faced this situation themselves. From focusing on gaining valuable experience to practicing gratitude, these experts share their tips on how to stay sane and motivated when you’re not taking a salary.
- Focus On Gaining Experience
- Prioritize Self-Care
- Maximize Your Leisure Time
- Establish a Financial Buffer
- Set Boundaries and De-Stress
- Find Value and Set Goals
- Work on Long-Term Goals
- Develop and Recognize Skills
- Reframe and Learn Daily
- Practice Gratitude
Focus On Gaining Experience
When your current job does not have you on their payroll, the most advisable way to remain sane and take advantage of the opportunity is to focus on gaining professional experience. With your mind set on a salary, you may overlook the need to gain experience and learn essential skills for maneuvering through your industry. However, the lack of one frees you of this limit. It allows you to develop your career and professional experience at a rate that would not be possible for other colleagues.
Liam Liu
Co-founder and CMO, ParcelPanel
Prioritize Self-Care
It’s hard. As a business owner, I’ve experienced the stresses of not taking a salary at certain points. It’s easy to let the stress become overwhelming. I’ve found that physically trying to take care of myself helps a lot. I try to eat right, exercise, and sleep enough.
The sleep part can be hard because of the stress, but exercising usually helps. If I’m properly taking care of myself, I can be much more productive at work, and I’m more pleasant to be around. That’s good for the health of the company.
Temmo Kinoshita
Co-founder, Lindenwood Marketing
Maximize Your Leisure Time
Use your “me” time to the fullest. When work hours increase, leisure time frequently disappears entirely from your calendar. Reports and meetings eat up the time you used to spend with friends or on hobbies. Yet, that doesn’t mean you should give up on taking some time for yourself; you just need to be resourceful with the limited time you have. For instance, it’s simple to lose focus while idly reading social media on your phone while riding the subway home.
And then suddenly, you’re at home, having just wasted 30 minutes that you could have spent doing something fulfilling and energizing. Take advantage of those tiny pockets of priceless free time, such as while you’re walking to work or sitting down to supper, especially if you’re in a circumstance where you have little extra time. Find out what gives you energy, whether it’s listening to a podcast, calling a buddy, or reading a book, and spend your time doing that.
Joe Li
Managing Director, CheckYa
Establish a Financial Buffer
Keeping your sanity at work when you’re not taking a salary can be tough, but I discovered that having a 12-month financial buffer really helps. With this safety net, I can concentrate on growing the business without constantly worrying about money, which makes it easier to stay positive and focused during this important time.
Max Desiak
Co-founder and Marketing Strategist, Spreadsheet Daddy
Set Boundaries and De-Stress
Set boundaries for yourself and learn your stress-relieving techniques. Even if you aren’t working at all, maintain a schedule from Monday through Friday that is as close to a typical workday as you can.
Make sure you take time for yourself before 9:00 or whenever your start time is, whether it’s for yoga, coffee, or even just a quick shower; treat that as time in your day. Repeat the process at 5:00.
Have a lovely dinner, watch some trashy television, or read a book to unwind. If you have to work past your normal schedule, attempt to make up for it the next day (if at all workable) by treating yourself well or doing nothing at all.
It helps to be aware of the people or activities in your life that help you decompress when you need them. Creating some ground rules for yourself (such as, “I won’t check my email after 9 p.m.”) may be a smart starting step toward creating boundaries between your personal and professional lives.
Himanshu Sharma
CEO and Founder, Academy of Digital Marketing
Find Value and Set Goals
When you’re working without a salary, it’s easy to feel demotivated or undervalued. However, it’s important to remember that you’re still creating value in other ways. Whether it’s building your skills and expertise, networking and making connections, or working towards a larger goal, there are many non-monetary benefits to working without a salary.
By focusing on the value you’re creating, you can maintain a sense of purpose and motivation, even when the financial rewards are not immediately apparent. It’s helpful to set clear goals and benchmarks for yourself so that you can track your progress and see tangible evidence of your accomplishments.
Basana Saha
Founder, KidsCareIdeas
Work on Long-Term Goals
I try to look at my long-term goals and find meaning in my work. I will admit, it is quite difficult, but by focusing on the positive impact of my work, I gain a sense of fulfillment and purpose that no monetary compensation can give me; because of this, I have some sanity intact even when I am not taking a salary. Staying organized ensures I do not feel overwhelmed too easily.
Shaun Connell
Founder, Writing Tips Institute
Develop and Recognize Skills
Just because you’re not getting paid doesn’t mean your work isn’t valuable. Recognize your skills and focus on improving and polishing them. You may gain experience, build your skills, or contribute to a cause that you’re passionate about. Keeping this in mind can help you feel more fulfilled and motivated.
Jeff Tse
Co-founder, CrazeCosplay
Reframe and Learn Daily
This tip comes from personal experience. My first “job” was an unpaid internship, and at that point, I knew I was the only person on the team that wasn’t getting compensated. To make matters worse, I was working overtime every day while my compensated coworkers left at the 5 pm mark. I really needed to complete this internship so that I could apply for a better role, and I stayed sane by reframing my entire experience.
Every morning before my job, I made a list of 5 new things I could learn that day, and at the end of my day, I created a list of 5 things I learned that day. This helped me focus on learning and seeing how much I’m getting out of the internship, and what I can learn from people who work there.
Aleksandra Jovicic
Freelance SEO Specialist, Aleksandra Beka
Practice Gratitude
One way to maintain sanity at work when you’re not taking a salary is to practice gratitude. Focusing on the things that you’re grateful for can help shift your perspective and reduce stress.
You can make a daily habit of writing three things that you’re grateful for, whether it’s a supportive colleague, a challenging project, or even just a good cup of coffee. By consciously focusing on the positive aspects of your work and life, you can train your brain to notice and appreciate the good things, even in challenging circumstances.
Another way to practice gratitude is to express appreciation to others. Take the time to thank your colleagues for their hard work, or reach out to a mentor or friend who has supported you in your career. Not only will this help you feel more connected and supported, but it can also boost your mood and self-esteem.
Will Gill
Event Entertainer, DJ Will Gill
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