A Day in the Life of a Founder: Balancing Product, Growth, and Mindfulness at OKRs Tool
For Steven Macdonald, founder of OKRs Tool, alignment isn’t just something his product helps teams achieve – it’s how he runs his own day. His lightweight goal-setting platform is designed to help startups track Objectives and Key Results (OKRs) without the complexity of enterprise systems.
In this conversation for Entrepreneurship Life, Steven shares a look at what a typical day looks like running a growing SaaS business from Estonia.
7:00 AM – Mindfulness and a Quiet Start
“My day starts early – around seven,” Steven says. “I spend the first half hour in mindfulness or quiet reflection. It helps me start grounded before I get pulled into screens and Slack messages.”
That calm beginning sets the tone for a structured day. By 8 AM, he’s dressed, making coffee, and scanning overnight emails and messages from users around the world.
9:00 AM – Movement First
Fitness is non-negotiable. “Five days a week, I go to the gym. The other two days, I run outside. It clears my head and actually helps me make better product decisions later.”
Exercise isn’t just personal for Steven – it’s part of the same discipline OKRs encourage: focus, consistency, and progress tracked over time.
10:00–11:00 AM – Supporting Customers
Once back from the gym, Steven dedicates an hour to customer service – personally responding to support emails and chat messages that came in overnight.
“It’s something I never want to delegate completely,” he explains. “Hearing directly from customers helps me see what’s working, what’s confusing, and what we should prioritize next in the roadmap.”
11:00 AM–1:00 PM – Marketing and Content Creation
Late mornings are all about storytelling. Steven writes blog articles, updates the OKRs Tool website, and drafts content for LinkedIn.
“Our users are small teams, founders, and managers trying to connect goals to outcomes,” he says. “If we can share what we’ve learned – how to set better OKRs, how to align cross-functionally – it builds trust.”
He treats marketing as an extension of customer service: answering questions before they’re asked.
1:00–3:00 PM – Deep Work and Strategic Projects
Right now, the focus is on the upcoming 2026 OKR Benchmark Report, a comprehensive look at how teams across industries use OKRs.
“We spoke with more than 200 startups about their OKR habits – how they set goals, track progress, and measure impact,” Steven explains. “This project combines data, digital outreach, and content strategy. We’re preparing influencer outreach, polishing email copy, and refining how we’ll present the findings.”
It’s a big lift, but it positions OKRs Tool as more than just software – as a contributor to the broader conversation around how modern teams define and achieve success.
4:00 PM – Walking to Reset
Afternoons can get heavy with calls and decisions, so Steven blocks out an hour to step away.
“I take a long walk outside – no headphones, just movement. That’s often when I solve product challenges or come up with new feature ideas.”
Tallinn’s quiet streets and coastline offer the kind of mental reset that many founders overlook.
5:00–7:00 PM – Building and Problem-Solving
Evenings are for creation. Steven and his development team log in to review the current roadmap, discuss updates, and address bug fixes.
“This is my favorite part of the day,” he admits. “It’s where ideas turn into code. I’m lucky to work with a talented dev team that shares the same focus on simplicity – keeping OKRs Tool intuitive, fast, and helpful.”
The team’s philosophy mirrors the platform’s design: less noise, more clarity.
7:00–10:00 PM – Cooking, Unwinding, and Reading
After work, Steven shifts gears completely. “I try to cook homemade food at least five times a week – it helps me slow down and disconnect from work mode.”
Evenings are about balance: cooking, eating well, and winding down. “Before bed, I try to read for at least thirty minutes every night. It’s a simple way to reset my brain and keep learning without staring at a screen.”
That quiet close helps him recharge for another focused day.
3 Lessons from the Founder’s Routine
1. Clarity beats busyness
Many founders equate productivity with doing more. Steven’s approach flips that thinking: focus only on what truly moves the company forward. “For me, it’s about doing less – but with total clarity. That’s what OKRs are all about.”
2. Balance fuels consistency
Running a global SaaS product from Estonia means working across time zones, managing feedback loops, and staying available to customers. Structure and mindfulness aren’t luxuries – they’re what keep energy and focus sustainable.
3. Listen to users, not just metrics
Whether it’s morning customer support or analyzing OKR data, Steven prioritizes human feedback over dashboards. Direct conversations with users reveal insights that numbers alone can’t – and they guide better product decisions.
About OKRs Tool
OKRs Tool is a lightweight OKR platform built for startups and growing teams. It helps organizations set clear objectives, track measurable results, and align daily work with long-term goals – all without enterprise-level complexity.
You can connect with Steven on LinkedIn or explore more insights about goal-setting, alignment, and startup growth on the OKRs Tool blog.
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