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by jaimebuelta 4498 days ago
Me, I’m a 23 year old startup founder

I think that people making the argument of 40 hours a week is not that is it impossible or not beneficial to work 60+ hours a week at a particular time. But that it's not sustainable. It's not the same living on ramen for two years than defending that living on ramen is actually great. Again, assuming that an exceptional situation (young startup founder with no commitments) is the norm is a mistake.

Also, it is easy to think that working those extra 20 hours are a big deal, hey 50% por output! But the fact is that that's not necessarily true. Ideas need time to develop, and spending time in different activities is good for your mind. I had a shop for a couple of years, and I worked A LOT during that time (I was the only one taking care of it), and I know how founding a company sucks up absolutely all your energy and mind. But being obsessed with it is not sane on the long term. I also work right now a lot less hours and more relaxed than when I was younger and I am waaaaay more productive.

1 comments

Absolutely right.

Just because a few driven individuals can survive Navy SEAL selection (BUD/S) doesn't mean that BUD/S is the optimal practice for everyone to have a productive, balanced, or happy life.

Some people do fine on 60 hours a week. Some people burn out on 40 hours. Some people sleep 5 hours a night. Some people delude themselves into thinking that 5 hours a night is all they need and then sleep 14 hours on Saturday.

This article is good insofar as it's one man's exploration of the question. But everyone needs to figure it out individually - there's no one-size-fits-all answer.

Except that this guy wants and expects to only hire Navy SEALs.

"All else being equal, why would I hire someone that works 40 hour weeks when there are a ton of other people willing to work 60?"

To which I'd ask, why would someone who isn't horribly naive work 60 hours to make you rich?

Well, yeah, leaders need to lead from the front, or at least give a strong impression of doing so. Otherwise, people will ask your question, and for good reason.
>Some people delude themselves into thinking that 5 hours a night is all they need and then sleep 14 hours on Saturday.

Oooh that sounds familiar.