Every founder romanticises the hustle — the nights without rest, the routines that blend together, the feeling that there aren’t enough hours in a day. But can you work 100 hours a day and still avoid burning out?
The short answer is: No — you can’t work 100 hours a day, and you shouldn’t.
There are, after all, just 24 hours in a day.
But this expression resonates because it encapsulates a powerful reality for many entrepreneurs: you feel there’s an endless list of things to do — coding, fundraising, sales, team management — and you wish you could clone yourself just to keep up.
When you’re passionate about your venture, it’s hard to detach from it.
Every opportunity feels crucial, every delay feels catastrophic, and you’re constantly battling uncertainty.
This pressure drives many to push their physical and mental limits — sometimes at the cost of their health.
Scientists, doctors, and psychologists agree that chronic overwork impacts creativity, decision-making, and productivity.
Studies show that after 50 hours per week, your output per additional hour drops — until there’s a point where you’re not adding much at all.
This happens due to: