Do you need to work 80 hours to start a business?

It’s no secret that we live in a fast-paced world, and if you are at least 20 years old, chances are you are bogged down with a demanding job position, a parent, or some other demanding role in life.

And you keep thinking that you should start that business. Now, the question is, do you have enough time to begin the business??

Let’s see.

The 80-hour entrepreneurial work week: A myth or solid wisdom?

Many entrepreneurs in the last decade have said that if one was to start a business, they would need to work 80 hours in order for it to be successful.

I am not a millionaire, and I am reluctant to say that I am a successful entrepreneur, but I am a fan of the concepts of learning and gaining perspective.

I don’t disagree with the notion of working an 80-hour workweek. However, I am not sure if that is advice that works for every successful entrepreneur because I do not believe that is the bottom line of success.

You can dedicate 80 hours to your field but do only foolish things and waste that amount of time.

Karl Hughes talks about Digital Service Businesses. In “Startup Working Hours: Burnout, Pacing, and Hustle Culture”, Karl dives into the advice entrepreneurs have pushed onto others.

This is what he had to write about entrepreneurs who are pressured by immediate, short-term success as a key for their business’ lasting livelihood:

“The problem is that many founders get pressured into thinking short-term. Whether its investors pushing them to show traction required for future funding rounds or unfulfilled promises to customers, founders often overcommit themselves to a point where a sustainable pace is impossible.”

His advice was geared towards startup companies, but the theme remains the same:

Commitment from a startup can easily look like 80 hours of dedicated work to its customer base, however, burnout is real and it is no respecter of people.

You and your employees can get it by not working at a doable pace for your business.

Working your business is much more about finding out what is doable and effective, rather than what is popular.

The 80-hour workweek may be popular advice, but it just might not be the time model that your business needs.

How do I know I am dedicating enough time to my business?

If you suffer from analysis paralysis, you may be thinking of that question. That’s fair if you are doing so, but I think you are shorting yourself on what you need to think about.

Instead, you should see if what you have done is attributing to your short-term and long-term goals.

With that said, ask these questions:

Has what I’ve done produced sales for the business?

Was I good at what I did? If not, how can I become better?

Is the market responding with interest to what I put out there?

The more research you do for your business and the more investment you put in your skillset and in your product or service, the less worried you will be about whether you have put in enough time.

In most cases, people don’t buy your time, they buy your value.

Conclusion

Each industry is different in some capacity, so it’s imperative for you to know the game you are playing.

80 hours of time may be necessary for you to get a leg up in your industry, but it might not be necessary. Knowledge and then knowledge that you apply is key to your success.