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There’s a lot of discussion in the entrepreneurial world about work-life balance and the value of protecting personal time to avoid burnout, and with good reason.
Despite all that, I believe there’s value in putting all your effort into your business in the early stages of growth. Think of it like planting a seed in a garden: put in the extra effort at the beginning to reap the rewards later.
In a bootstrapped business, where every dollar (and every hour) counts, it’s worth committing to a fast timeline. Elon Musk Let’s say this“All you have to do is work 80 to 100 hours a week. If other people are working 40 hours a week and you’re working 100 hours a week, you’ll find that even if you’re doing the same thing, you can achieve in four months what other people achieve in a year.”
Here’s my take on 14-hour workdays as a founder, why long hours are valuable when you’re starting out, and how to scale back your workload as your business grows.
Related: 5 Entrepreneurs Share the Sacrifices They Made to Get Their Businesses Off the Ground
The myth of work-life balance for founders
There’s no denying that work-life balance is important, but when you’re starting out, it’s not always realistic. Certain stages of your business will require you to work longer hours, while others will require more flexibility and personal time.
Entrepreneurs have the freedom to choose how and when they work, but they also bear ultimate responsibility for their success. When the future of your livelihood and business is on the line, embracing the struggle can give you the momentum you need for early growth.
For the first year or so of Lemonlight’s existence, my typical work day looked something like this:
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6AM – 10AM: Work from home where you can quietly focus on a project
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10:00 AM – 4:00 PM: Meetings, team time, and other office priorities
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4pm – 6pm: Take a break to eat dinner and have some personal time
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6pm – 10pm: Finishing a day’s work and planning the next day
Of course, I know this schedule isn’t feasible for everyone. When I founded Lemonlight, I was in my 20s and free of major responsibilities, which made it easier to give my full attention to my work.
Plus, a lot of my “work” at the time involved brainstorming and planning with my co-founders, which I thoroughly enjoyed. The intersection of work and fun kept me energized.
The benefits of a 14-hour workday
Are you considering working long hours at a startup? Here are some key benefits to consider.
1. Accelerated progress and profitability
Let’s start with the most obvious benefit: working longer hours lets you get things done faster. By progressing faster, you’re able to learn about the business, put that learning into practice to improve your performance, and ultimately make money faster.
If, like most businesses, you need to get to a viable business model as quickly as possible, it’s often worth committing to the effort.
2. Cost reduction
In the early stages of a startup, funds are often limited. By taking on more work yourself, you can save on hiring costs. Plus, when you start hiring, you’ll get first-hand experience in different areas of the business.
3. Capitalize on early excitement and energy
Excitement is a powerful motivator when starting a new business, so capitalize on it now and then slow down as your ambition wanes over time.
Related: No pain, no gain in a startup: short-term pain leads to lasting gains
How to scale down
If you decide to adopt 14-hour work days for your business, remember that you will eventually have to back out. As your business grows, it’s natural that keeping yourself busy will start to feel unsustainable.
When that time comes, we’ll show you how to gradually reduce your workload without hurting your business.
1. Delegate one department or team at a time
Start by delegating responsibilities to trusted team members, but focus on one department or team at a time. Delegating tasks often involves a bit of a learning curve for both you and your team members, so go slowly to ensure a smooth transition.
2. Focus on your top goal
14-hour workdays are especially effective at prioritizing many different business goals at once. Scaling down can force you to narrow your focus.
To overcome this constraint, identify one “top priority” for your business and focus all your energy on achieving it. Focusing on this single goal will make tasks more efficient and reduce the need for long hours.
3. Create a clear to-do list
If you can’t get tasks done every day, you’ll probably face a backlog. Find a to-do list system that works for you and stick to it no matter what. I like the Eisenhower Matrix, which helps me prioritize based on urgency and importance.
4. Invest in your team’s autonomy
Finally, focus on developing your team’s skills and capabilities to enable them to operate more independently. Investing in your team’s growth and autonomy makes it easier to back off without compromising business performance.
Related: Bill Gates says startup founders shouldn’t take weekends or vacations in the early stages of their companies
Although I no longer work typical 14-hour days, I don’t regret the time I spent at Lemonlight in its early days – those long hours built the foundation for our success and taught me valuable lessons.
If you’re working long hours in the early stages of your business, remember that this phase won’t last forever, and it’s okay to sacrifice your work-life balance temporarily for the sake of your business.
I believe 14-hour workdays are a temporary, but often necessary, phase in your entrepreneurial journey. They’re a powerful tool for getting your startup off the ground, and with careful planning and delegation, you can transition to a more balanced lifestyle as your business matures. Embrace the busyness now, and your future self — and your business — will thank you.