AIBU to Work 65 hrs per week on my own business

Most people who have successful businesses work all the hours god sends initially - keep doing what you want to do.

I did 70-80 hours per week for 2 years, although I am older. There was no time for anything except work and sleep, and I can't see how 5 extra hours of 'you-time' will make any difference to that!

It's draining, and that's why I gave it up, even though the money was amazing. Sometimes, however much money you get, it just isn't worth it.

I also know loads of doctors who have worked those sorts of hours for years - and mainly they cope because they have partners who sort everything else for them. but they still spend a lot of time falling asleep at dinner parties etc.

If the work is your life or money is pretty much all that matters to you, then fair enough.

People who are making comments in your life are probably just jel of your projected earnings and success

I work those hours regularly with 2 kids and while I am on a great salary, the bulk of my output is lining the profits of the company I work for! Go for it

but be self aware. Take breaks when you need to and don’t be scared to admit if it’s all becoming too much.

It sounds as though you have your life reasonably balanced, if not quite regimented. If it's working for you then absolutely go for it.

However, I would caution pausing your life with the idea of picking it up again in x many years. I'm sure it works for and auits many people, but you don't know what your life will look like, your health will look like, your friendships and romance at this future date.
Make sure you keep the balance in your life now.

For me it’s not unreasonable if you can sustain the lifestyle without making yourself unwell. Especially if you’re making a good turnover and profit and can afford a good quality of life while doing it.

I wouldn’t work 65 hours a week self employed if I went into the red every month, couldnt afford new things when I wanted them, had no time for hobbies and took home very little a month and didn’t see the business making money for me in the future or for my future.

You appear to be in the first senario so I’d say keep going if you can.

Of you find yourself in the second if re evaluate

You seem to have only factored in 2 dates per fortnight. Thats not a lot to develop a meaningful relationship.
And you seem to be assuming that all friends and family can see you on your lunch break.

At the end of the day, you do what works for you but you seem to be expecting others to fit around your plan. Just don’t be surprised if relationships/friendships don’t survive unless you can invest time in them and be relatively flexible.

Dh and I regularly work seventy hours plus. I wouldn’t say you were working too much personally. It sounds very rewarding and productive.

A million won’t be enough if you planning to retire at 45 (just saying) you could easily live for the same time again, and as you won’t have a family you may need to set aside money for help.

Your question should be different though op. You can do exactly what you please with your own life, Real friends should be happy for you, so why aren’t they? Do they miss you?
Are you investing zero effort into them, that seems like a mistake. But if you are managing to see friends regularly and take care of yourself then go for it! Be happy and if your new man is meant to be, he will fit in around you, and not the other way around.

Honestly, as a business owner myself it sounds utterly soul-destroying to me. I started off working all the hours under the sun and it nearly gave me a breakdown.

Educational training/consultancy. I should mention as well that in the early years we hardly made a penny and had a lot of debt. In the later years we made a decent living but still less than we’d have earned in paid roles. We only made a lot of money when we sold it.

Do you have an exit plan that would value your business at that? Or will your sales get you to that figure?

Sometimes if you so focused on the build tomorrow, it's hard to plan ahead. Take the time to work that through. If you are just assuming a business will take you there, it might not. This knowledge will help you judge whether it's worth it for you

Lots of people work those hours without keeling over. Starting a business invariably needs that kind of input. But there is also the adage “find a job you love and you will never work again”, which seems to sum you up.

You also fit in a lot of non work activities so you have some balance, probably a lot more than working mothers and no one tells them to stop or they will have a heart attack

Can I ask what sort of business you had? Just asking out of pure curiosity. I dont have a business brain and always amazed how people do it!

It’s sounds like a very regimented life to me, but maybe that fits your personality and also maybe that what you have to do if you run your own business. I’m surprised you give a shit what other people think though! And you may as well put the boyfriend idea on one side til you are 45 if the arrangement causes any angst.

Keep an eye on your mental health if you start to feel burnt out you need to slow down. But you also have to consider if you neglect your relationships you might not have many people to spend your time with when you retire. It is a good idea though as the older you get the more you may want to slow down.

Most founders work those sorts of hours, it’s part of the personality needed I think. But do consider what you want to achieve with the business longer term. If you’re looking to sell out, then you do need to eventually build it as something that doesn’t completely depend on you. Good luck!

They just don’t understand setting up a business surely. Also from your list it’d clearly not all work and no play, and you’re happy, so screw them.

You’ll have to be really careful with that £1m though if you’re planning to fully retire at 45 and live a long time! You’ll want to make some good investments.

YANBU - it's your life, live it however you want. I can't really see a serious relationship fitting into it though. Maybe a FWB or someone to go out for dinner with.

Most business owners will work similar hours especially when setting up. We certainly do. (Less for me now we have kids).

I think a lot of society has forgotten what hard work and long working hours really looks like so when they see someone doing it they don’t understand it.

or the acquaintances are people who also work in your shared office space, eg a WeWork type place, so see you working in the evenings, then presumably they are there working too! I’d just say ‘I’m doing fine thanks’

your choice! Good luck with your business.

In your situation I’d share much less information about your work pattern with acquaintances/ rivals. And not send emails or call people about business outside standard business hours, would use timed-send. For your reputation.

Think you’re naive if you think dating men with DC is easier/better.

True, but they might have their kids at the weekend and be free in the week. Could be problematic.

I’ve done those kind of hours with 2 kids etc, it’s my own business I’ve run it for 25 years and I’m on the other size now at 50, I have staff and could decide to take that day off today if I felt like it!! I won’t as a love my business and have pride in what I’ve achieved. I’ve generated jobs and careers and given other lifestyles and goals. My 1million savings don’t seem to have dropped into my bank though!! But I still have time. 🤣.

Do the hours you want as long as you’re not a busy fool and they are valid and useful hours laser focused on business development.