Finding Your Rhythm: Why Entrepreneurs Need to Think in Cycles, Not Constant Sprints
Written by Elle Whitelegg
Summer in Cambridge has its own rhythm. The lecture halls quieten, inboxes slow, and for many student-entrepreneurs, there’s a pause, a step away from the city that incubates so many bold ideas. The space and distance of the summer break offer a natural invitation to zoom out and ask: am I working in rhythm with what I need, or simply reacting to what’s in front of me?
When we talk about “rhythm” in entrepreneurship, it’s tempting to think in terms of external timing: funding rounds, pitch seasons, or annual business cycles. These structures are important, of course, but they’re only part of the picture. As founders, we have the rare opportunity, and responsibility, to also consider our internal rhythms. The tempo of how we work, how we recover, and how we show up for ourselves and others.
In my work as an executive coach, I often explore rhythm through the lenses of resilience, recovery, and achievement. Each of us has personal indicators - physical, mental, emotional, social, spiritual - that determine how well we’re holding up. Some people thrive with movement and physical training; others need regular connection or stillness to feel anchored. These patterns aren’t weaknesses or soft preferences, they’re crucial data. And when we ignore them, we start to wear down our ability to perform at the level we’re aiming for.
That’s the real tension. The pace of entrepreneurial life often demands continuous achievement. When a big pitch is approaching or a product is about to ship, our energy and focus naturally centre on performance. The key is to recognise that these phases are part of a broader cycle. If we honour those intense periods of output as just that— periods, not a permanent state — we can plan for recovery with the same intention. Without that recalibration, it becomes dangerously easy to operate in a constant “on” mode, fuelled more by internalised pressure than true necessity.
I’ve found the word “should” to be a red flag. It sneaks into language when we’re reacting to cultural or emotional expectations rather than actual deadlines. “I should work late.” “I should take this call.” “I should feel more productive.” Whenever we use that language, on ourselves or others, it’s worth pausing and asking: where is this “should” coming from? Is this action truly required, or am I answering to an invisible script?
One of the most powerful shifts we can make is to reframe how we view performance itself. If we’ve built our identity around always being productive, we may find it difficult to rest without guilt. But genuine high performance includes knowing when to stop, when to shift gears, and when to rest with purpose. Athletes understand this intuitively. They work in layers of cycles: planned peaks, followed by recovery, all in service of long-term progression. There’s no shame in recovery, only strategy.
I encourage clients to adopt the same approach. Think in longer, Olympic-style cycles, even if your runway is six months, not four years. Define your next peak. Align your effort to meet it. Then, just as deliberately, plan for a taper, where you take time to reflect, recalibrate, and restore. The result isn’t slowness, but sustainability. A rhythm that supports longevity, not just survival.
This is particularly important for female entrepreneurs who have a monthly cycle to consider. Their hormonal cycle, roughly 28 days, creates a natural pattern of mental, emotional and physical shifts. In the first two weeks, a rise in oestrogen and testosterone often brings higher energy, confidence and clarity - ideal conditions for selling ideas and pitching for growth. In the latter luteal phase, as progesterone rises, more introspective, reflective thinking tends to emerge. For many women, working with rather than against this rhythm can unlock deeper confidence and better outcomes across their leadership.
On a daily level, I often ask clients to stop thinking of “time management” and start thinking in terms of “energy management.” If you know you’re most focused and creative in the morning, use that time for deeper work. Afternoons can then be for conversation, input, new perspectives. When you notice your own patterns, you stop trying to push through resistance and start working in flow. And with that, your day starts to feel like something you’re conducting, not just surviving.
So, if you’re reading this and feeling out of step, frantic, flattened, or simply unsure, start here: ask yourself where you are in your personal cycle of resilience, recovery and achievement. Are you overdue for recovery? Are you stretching toward a peak? Or are you stuck in a state of permanent output, with no defined endpoint?
There is no one right rhythm. But there is a rhythm that will help you perform better, lead more intentionally, and stay in the game for longer. The goal isn’t to slow down for the sake of it. It’s to tune into the tempo that makes your best work possible—and then, to honour it.
Elle Whitelegg is the founder of Praeduco, a coaching and consultancy practice that helps ambitious businesses build performance that lasts. For scale-ups and founder-led teams navigating high growth, constant pressure, and evolving demands, Praeduco delivers tailored workshops and 1:1 coaching programeemes focused on wellbeing, resilience, and sustainable leadership. With a background as a senior marketing leader at global brands like YETI and Reebok, and experience competing internationally in multiple sports, Elle understands first-hand what it takes to perform at the edge—without burning out. She is qualified in Executive Coaching, Nutrition Coaching, and Sleep, Stress & Recovery Management, and holds a mini-MBA in Marketing.
If you’re building something bold and want to lead with clarity, energy, and longevity, get in touch at praeduco.co.