In today’s post I’m going to ramble a bit. If you’re looking for a focused teaching, please refer back to some of my other posts. Today I’m writing…and who knows where we’ll end up.
It’s weird. In the entrepreneur world it seems we have two major extremes…on almost everything.
Take the hours someone works. Some people believe you must work 60+ hours a week to build a business while others say you can build a business in only 4 hours per week.
I find the truth to be somewhere in the middle. Wow, that’s really stepping out on a limb to say the balance is somewhere between 4 and 60 hours a week. 
For example, check out this post:
http://www.dailyblogtips.com/interview-12-top-online-entrepreneurs-share-how-hard-they-work/
Read it. Are you depressed yet? If I believed this is what it required, I’d be down in the dumps personally.
Other than Chris Pearson and maybe Yaro Starak, it looks like a bunch of workaholics to me.
I don’t want anyone to take offense at this, but if 7 days a week was required, I’d rather work a job. Sorry but I would.
Someone may say, “But Terry, it’s different when it’s your own business…you’re free.”
If you work 7 days a week for your business, you’re not free. Sorry, but you’re not. You’re chained to it just like you’d be chained to any cubicle at work.
I pulled some 7 day weeks when I was just starting out, but I haven’t seen anything remotely like that in years…maybe not even in the past decade (remember I’ve been online 14 years).
The conversation continues, “But what if you LOVE what you do?”
So what? I love what I do also. I LOVE coaching clients for example. I don’t know many who enjoy it as much as I do, but it is also draining.
My wife could tell you the days I have the most fun in my business are the days I schedule in coaching, BUT I wouldn’t be able to handle it every day. It would drive me insane…as I sit in the corner drooling worn out with an empty brain and emotional bank account.
I enjoy writing, but there are times I don’t want to write…and I roam off to do something else.
I don’t ever schedule clients in any way shape or form on Fridays or the weekends (definitely not the weekends). Even my email coaching clients know I answer Monday thru Thursdays and don’t make any promises on Fridays. Sometimes I’ll work on Fridays but other times I’ll go to lunch and not come back. So no promises made…none can be broken.
And I love 3 day weekend vacations with no work. If you have a laptop with you, I don’t consider it a vacation.
There are reasons you put systems in place to run your business…so you don’t have to do it all the time.
It seems I’m lazy compared to other entrepreneurs most of the time. Many of the ones who talk about short workweeks also don’t count a majority of the stuff they do for their business as work: for example writing, interviews, studying, etc.
If it in any way involves a computer or business, I consider it work. That doesn’t mean it’s bad of course.
I retired from the Internet before, and it was BORING. Not being productive…not going after your business passion leaves you unfulfilled.
But there is a balance to life, business, your family, your health, etc.
What’s the right balance for you? Who knows? I sure can’t say what’s right for you or not without talking to you individually.
I’ve recently turned down several teleconferences that I’m sure would have been very profitable…because they wanted me to speak on them at night.
No…just no. I don’t want to work in the evening. If you want the teleconference in the evening, we can record it in the morning and play the recording in the evening.
Maybe I should call myself the “lazy entrepreneur.”
Or maybe I should be the “introvert entrepreneur.”
Extroverts gain energy from being around people. Introverts, while they can be friendly and enjoy it, do expend energy from being around others.
I’m probably one of the most introvert type personalities you would ever meet, which is one of the main reasons I was an absolute disaster as an in-person sales person but adapted well to the online world.
But whatever it is…I often just don’t fit in entrepreneur circles.
The point here is it’s OK to be different.
Here’s another example of a DIFFERENT entrepreneur: http://www.inc.com/magazine/20090101/and-the-money-comes-rolling-in.html
You have to laugh with this quote from Markus Frind, “All done? Are you serious? “The site pretty much runs itself,” he explains. “Most of the time, I just sit on my ass and watch it.”"
But that is a result of coming up with a great idea…and getting the systems in place to run it (both software and support).
Note: Comments are turned on for this post as I’d like to have your opinion on this issue. I don’t feel there is really one right or wrong answer…just degrees of differences and different personality types in online marketing.
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- Do You Want to Replace Yourself?
- Pizza, Pain, and Internet Profits
- Why I Decided to Turn Off Comments
- 5 Ways Coaching Beats Passive Income
About Terry Dean
Terry,
Your post resonated with me. In my quest for the internet lifestyle, I’ve achieved all my goals as a copywriter… and now find myself slaving away for clients!
Look, I’m not ungrateful, God’s blessed me with an amazing business. But you’re never going to get in control of matters until you get your business systematized.
This is what I’m learning from you now.
By this fall, I’ll be working only 40 hours per week, and on my way to enjoying life more!
Best,
Kevin
I think that is actually part of the copywriter progression.
First you don’t have any jobs.
Then you get a few jobs.
Then you get too many jobs.
Then you get worn out from too many jobs.
Then you either start farming out some jobs or start using your skills for your own business.
Then you get to the point where you’re happy with the business.
Every good copywriter goes through a progression that is similar to the above. So you’re on the normal flow.
The guy who complains about “working twice as hard and making half as much’ may be who you’re speaking to, Terry. Michael Gerber really pissed off a group of businessmen in 3-piece suits who reaised their hands to the question of 60 hours or more when he said ” You have bought yourself a job, and you’ll never sell it.. The purpose of creating a small business is not for self-expression but to create a value you can sell.” Some others smiled.
The small-business owners who burn out are the ones who never find a way to grow – they concentrate on doin’ it, doin it, doin’ it, and they ultimately lose money and give up. In fact, in the 2000 census, 40% of small businesses were gone in 1 year, 80% in four! They also skip past buidling their own self-knowledge as well as a vision and mission.
Failures take place where self-expression or the ability to perform some technical process gets you off.
Successes take place where small-business owners look for ways to move up, expand, grow. They don’t seek a new comfort zone; rather they they learn how to market, manage, delegate, and build equity. By the way, the smartest have discovered that accepting help at the management level is profitable, and hire a coach! (Very short commercial.)
Best,
Craig Jennings
.
You do what works for you – and you should. That’s the freedom of self-employment. Who cares what others think? Today I got an email from Naomi over at IttyBiz and she talks about “working your ass off.” Don’t we all know people – self-employed people – who work 12+ hours daily? Sure. Some I know love it. Others just have NO BALANCE in their life. Divorced. Kids don’t live with them. But they’re building a business. I think they’ve got it all wrong! But that’s just me. I’m with you on this issue. And I don’t think hard work and long hours necessarily go hand in hand.
RC
I think we need to see both sides. Some people are led to believe (it’s a deception) that all you have to do is push a few buttons and you make money online. That’s a lie.
But I see the other side that you have to always work like a maniac to be an entrepreneur as just as big of lie or bigger because I expect more people believe it.
The truth varies for each individual and their business in this subject in my opinion.
I wouldn’t say that you’re a Lazy Entrepreneur at all Terry.
You’re structured. You know how to work effectively. You know what you want and
how to get it without excessive or unnecessary work.
That’s way different from being lazy. Being lazy means you don’t want to do any
work. You appreciate that to get results you need to do work (or get others to do
it) – just not to excess!
I remember seeing an interview with a guy who’s regarded to be one of the best
chefs in the world (Ferran Adrià, the owner of the famous el Bulli restaurant).
His secret to success? Taking 6 full months off a year to recharge his batteries so
that he could have more space to be creative and do great work whenever he did
work.
Lazy? No! Effective? Sure
Shaun
I am structure dmost of the tmie and I know how to work effectively most of the time, but don’t give me credit for being together all the time. I won’t measure up anywhere near perfection here!
It’s interesting, but I find if I start allowing myself to drag into more hours, my production starts slowing down. It takes twice as long to get something done than it did the week before. That’s one of the reason I won’t allow myself to do weekends…I know it will hurt my results that next week. I’ve seen it too many times.
Is This Guy Really a Lazy Entrepreneur? I don’t think so, but you make your own mind up… http://bit.ly/a7WwOJ
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
Aloha Terry! Thank you for sharing this and your other postings. Having started, built and sold 40+ businesses in Japan, mainland US and Hawaii I learned some businesses enhance my quality of life (I call this LQ or Life Quality) and some businesses actually detract from my LQ.
Why do we work? To improve our LQ.
What is LQ? 1) Personal health; 2) Ohana harmony, 3) Business. In that order.
A fellow member of the Kona Executives Association who owns an animal hospital (better than most human hospitals) recently shared she had only taken 46 days off in three years (this INCLUDES weekends).She is PROUD of this. Good family, good health, great business….but an LQ Business? No way.
Working that much something will go wrong badly soon. Burning out her reserves. Will lose balance. Been there. Done that. Don’t need to do it again.
My experience is 20 hours per week maximum invested in “business” is the right balance. Any more and just not possible to have excellent personal health and ohana harmony.
Another key (I could write about this 24/7 but that wouldn’t be very LQ would it?) is being happy NOT earning HUGE amounts of money.
If you can do without all the material goods society says WE need to be successful then you can enjoy a totally LQ life on $100K a year….and for some people even much less.
With Aloha;
Grif Frost
griffrost@lqbusiness.com
http://www.LifeQualityBusiness.com
Hilo, Hawaii (A Totally LQ Environment)
PS I have written 100+ posts (have a long way to catch up to you!) about LQ Business at my website blogs. I enjoy your postings…Mahalo again for sharing.
I definitely agree with the concept. I don’t know if I could say 20 is a maximum though. I am generally above 20 hours a week personally (probably closer to 30 to 35 – and I have done 40s at times).
I have clients who do anywhere from about 15 a week up to about 60 that I see as having what I’d consider a good internet lifestyle. A lot of it seems to depend on the person and what they want.
Enjoyed your post Terry! When I read your emails & blog posts, I think about how similar our attitudes are with regards to work and “making a living”. Only problem is…you’re living your dream and I’m still working on it!
Maybe I need to hire you as a coach? I can relate to the term, “introvert entrepreneur”!
I’m working on an ebook now that I hope will be the “start” of the future and life that I’m looking for. When I’m writing and researching for the book…my wife thinks I’m crazy because I can spend hours and hours looking at that computer screen and typing away. To me, it’s enjoyable. To others, it just looks like a lot of boring work…but I love it!
Oh…and I can definitely relate to the term, “introvert entrepreneur”! I enjoy working by myself for the most part and couldn’t imagine running a business with a lot of employees. I want to work when “I” want to work….and not when someone else expects me to.
We’re definitely in agreement here. I wouldn’t want any in office employees. That would drive me crazy and it is so easy to outsource now. I find some people are more extroverted though and they function better with an office full of employees which is one of the reasons I do kind of relate this to your personality.
The right article at the right time.
Here is my tale – I started online at the same time as Terry – 14 years ago and was a member of his site before he retired. I think it was called netbreakthoughs and it was a brilliant concept.
And I have had major successes over the years including a major ebook success and retail success.
But I was always, “too smart” to worry about getting systems together.
My businesses took me 60 hours a week or more to run. But what the heck – I am Superman – no problemo.
Then IT happens. IT can be different for each of us.
It can be a divorce from a spouse of 25 years as it was in my case – or a child or parent death – or a Hurricane – a major illness – the list is endless.
Whatever IT is – it hurts your heart and drains your power.
The day my wife walked out – Superman lost stumbled on a piece of Kryptonite.
60 hours – why? 40 hours – why? 20 hours – why? Who cares?
The purpose of the whole damn thing seemed gone…
Wanna know how long it takes disorganized businesses that bring in 30K a month to disintegrate without Superman at the helm?
Only a year or two. From 30K to hundreds.
By the time IT was gone I was so far behind that I never got my steam back up.
So take heed to what Terry is saying.
It’s fun to be Superman but beware, patches of Kryptonite are all around us.
Bless and Peace
Ed Osworth
I’m glad you shared your story here. It’s sad, but I’ve heard the same story from others. If the business relies totally on you without systems, it is an accident waiting to happen. And it will happen at some point.
Everyone can take this as a cautionary tale…that it can be them “driving” the business all the time. It needs to eventually start growing without us (isn’t that what Michael Gerber from the Emyth has told us so many times).
My view is this is something everyone has to make a decision on themselves.
I’m based in the UK, my main office is in the midlands but i’m writing this from my place 190 miles away down on the coast.
It is Thursday night, I’ve been for a walk on the beach and have now opened a beer … tomorrow is part of a three day weekend … I love my business but I also love my free time and i know I can make a good living in an average of four days a week … even if some weeks are 7 days long!
Have a great weekend. I love the 3 day weekends (but I’m one of those who gets bored as they extend on – my wife finds I start getting annoying on breaks longer than 5 days).
Dear brother,
Heartily thanking you for your world top product,pray for me and my ministry in INDIA,if you want to come we well comes you please come give the ideas,guide and many more things for our 840 members in our ministry.
MAY GOD BLESSINGS YOU AND YOUR BUSINESS
IN CHRIST
R.K.CHETTY
May God bless you and your ministry.
Hi Terry. great post!
You’re really getting to the core here, aren’t you?
In our work as biz people and holistic living counselors, we find most folks are way over balance. Often times my wife and I find ourselves over our heads. No one prepared us for the velocity of modern life here. Life in VERY complex in the West due to affluence and a fierce independent spirit.
Sandy and I prefer the way of “integration” not balance. Sometimes we need to spend huge time on other matters of necessity and challenge, .i.e health issues, family crisis, biz setbacks, etc. That would appear out of balance, but we feel not. It’s sorely needed, and not “out of balance.” People need lots of help from people at some times more than others.
Most “successful” people are very, very gifted, and/or work and will it to happen until it does happen. Others who are told “you can do anything” and “think and grow rich” etc. Of course, both are bold face lies. The carnage of lives that are less gifted, or pressed overboard to “succeed” is all over the landscape.
In any event, working within a well defined personal vision, individual giftings, accountability, to name a few, seems to be the key. Inconsistency and bad surprises need to mitigated as best we all can. Margins are crucial, and none of us have been mentored in that serious discipline. Richard Swenson. MD’s work on margins is terrific.
Keep up the great work, dear fellow entrepreneur!
I think part of this really revolves around people’s definition of “success.”
I don’t see success as meaning everyone knows your name, or the fancy mansions, or the big yacht, or how much money is in your bank account.
I see it as doing something you enjoy, having a fulfilling life for you, family and friends, and good health.
Stuff doesn’t last and doesn’t really motivate me anymore (there was a time it did but that’s a while back).
Terry, thanks for posting that article about Markus Frind. That was really interesting. I remember reading some of his posts on webmasterworld when he was first starting his business.
As for all those people working 60-80 hours per week, I think that’s ridiculous. One of them said he spends 5 hours per day on email! No wonder he has to work such long hours. I think a lot of them work such long hours just because they love their work, not because they have to (such as Aaron Wall and Neil Patel). Personally, I am with you. There is a lot more to life than work.
There was a point in my business that I actually spent about 4 hours a day on email so I wasn’t far off from the 5 hours you read about.
Part of it is believing you have to personally respond to EVERYTHING in your business. That is only even thinkable because we think small at times. We wouldn’t see Steve Jobs from Apple responding to every customer (he doesn’t do his customer service) because that’s not even possible.
AND it also takes a mindset shift that you can’t promise to always respond all the time (I’ve heard a few social media gurus promise they will answer everyone all the time no matter what). That’s a dangerous promise to make which would keep them from growing and serving more customer overall. Somebody has to respond, but it doesn’t need to be them. In fact what we often have to realize is they may not be the best person for that job anyway!
You’re a lazy, no good for nuthin’, bum. Go get a job Terry!
But….but…what am I qualified for Travis?
No…no jobs for me any time soon.
Because we are all different, you have to find what works for you. When you are just getting building your business it may take working at it to grow to the point where you can make the choice of long or short hours. Some people live to work, others work to live, the choice is yours, what ever floats your boat.
I agree that we’re all different…and we need to quit judging ourselves by other people’s patterns. I had to learn this message in coaching entrepreneurs. My clients are the biggest bunch of unemployable weirdos you could ever find…just like me. We’re all different and the strategy that is for run is not one size fits all.
I heard some one say to an individual who had cerebral palsy that he was not normal. He replied, what is normal? One person may spend 2 hours a day , two days a week or what have you. I guess we all do as we feel most comfortable. I have no set schedule. I may work an hour or two nin the morning or I may work from 10 pm to 3:30 am.
I was ill for awhile and have to make up for lost time.
I have been online since 1996. Terry, I have some of your articles I downloaded along about then. I enjoy working on my sites.
I just started a new blog ‘ i am the new kid on the blog’ however i am 80 years young.
We all work as we see fit whether that is normal or different.
80 years young! You go for it.
Hi Terry
Met you in Orlando once… really enjoyed it, and your presentation.
I think you are right on and right where I want to be… I just have to figure out how to get there!
I’m working from home… for the last 3 years… but still haven’t hit my stride so I can do what you do.
So, you are definitely someone I admire regarding your “lazy work ethic”… LOL
I think it sounds perfectly fine!
Now I just have to figure out how to get myself there too!
Lazy work ethic…that’s come up twice now. I wonder if I can trademark that term. “Lazy work ethic” which from now on will be known as working hard to figure out how not to work so hard. That’s what I do.
You lazy… definitely not.
Lazy/laziness is an attitude problem combined with NON-MOVEMENT. You keep moving forward and expanding with the right attitude… and you’re gifted with the ability to get a lot of things done in little time.
That’s effectiveness, not laziness. Sounds like if you worked more, it would be purely based on greed, not happiness… so you don’t bother.
Rich
P.S. Rumor has it that Ben Settle said he wants a shot at the title for who is most introverted. He likes comic books, so he may have the edge on you. ha @ Ben
Collecting comic books doesn’t make Ben introverted. It makes him a nerd.
And Ben and I are so alike that it’s scary at times. While we’ve only spoken a few times he seems like my long lost brother. Ask either one of us how much we like “debt” for example (came from an interview he did with me a week or two ago).
On the nerd contest, I’ll submit the fact that I own probably close to $700 worth of Star Wars miniatures…and my game room has autographed Star wars posters and photos all over it.
In addition, if you’ve ever seen a webcam of me you’ve likely seen the collector’s Lord of the Rings swords all over my office walls. In your face Ben!
Terry, no doubt you beat me hands down in the nerd department… for now.
But I can hold my own with my comic book collection and my visit to Roswell New Mexico for the “UFO Festival” and the Big Foot museum in Willow Creek California last year (and resulting bigfoot clothes, mugs and drivers license acquired while visiting)
Ben
I’m in the lead in the nerd contest…but of course I’ve never used a word like nerdgasm which I’ve seen you use in a recent post. That has to be worth mega-points for you.
I sometimes say, “A lazy person looks for the shortest distance between two points. A smart lazy person looks for two points that are close together.”
You may just be a smart lazy person.
Or maybe, unlike so many people in business, you understand the concept of “enough”.
I’m in the early stages of building my business (with some help from your excellent advice). I pretty much alternate between working half of Saturday and half of Sunday one weekend, and working half of only one of those days the next weekend. That’s what works for me as a rhythm. You’re completely right when you say that we each have to find what works for us.
Another great quote…A lazy person looks for the shortest distance between two points. A smart lazy person looks for two points that are close together.”
I think a lot of times it’s easy to overcomplicate what we need to do or to look for challenges…instead of finding the best and easiest solution for both you and your customers (our customers aren’t looking for the most difficult approach – they’re looking for a simple solution to solve their problems).
Hey Terry, if happiness is from the inside out, then it does not depend on what you have but on what you do…[I have the most fun in my business are the days I schedule in coaching, BUT I wouldn’t be able to handle it every day. It would drive me insane…as I sit in the corner drooling worn out with an empty brain and emotional bank account.]…speaks volumes:)
One of elements I’ve been working on is maximizing my time in business for the activities I enjoy best. This isn’t always the most profitable activities 100% of the time, but it does always include the activities I enjoy and find fulfillment from.
The life balance is a thing very interesting when we put to analize it.
Is it make money or have life pleasure?
At each moment in our lifes we priorize one or other, the wisdom is balance with happiness.
I like the comment earlier about integration instead of balance. And that definitely fits here – we integrate each element of our lives in together.
I have a business where I work in the field most of the time….first appointment of the day is 10:00 AM. Don’t mind working late sometimes. Saturday is for fishing and Sunday is for God and family…period! Three day weekends are awsome and I agree about the Friday thing. Four day weekends are even better! Life is short as I found out about a year ago….had a heart attack and quadruple bypass surgery, not fun.
Slow down and smell the roses life is good. Live, love and appreciate each day.
Alan
Very similar to my own style. Don’t really mind working late a few days, but I want those weekends!
I’m glad you made it through the surgery, but that’s not a fun way to learn the message. Glad I picked it up early.
i’m writing this comment knowing very well it might be read only by Monday, but that’s one idea i hadn’t thought about. sounds good and more fulfilling. i don’t picture myself working my life off without paying myself. what better way than to take time off.
balance, balance, balance that’s the key word; finding your balance. nice article!
Another good point. A lot of people talk about paying themselves first…but what good would that be if you don’t have the freedom and enjoyment from a life you love. Good point!
Am I the Lazy Entrepreneur? http://bit.ly/9zZqsM via @terrydean
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Pretty interesting discussion going on about work, life, and even nerds on this post: http://bit.ly/aetx7h
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Once you get of the hump of making good income online, it’s actually hard not to work more hours. Not because you have too, but because you know that if you do you’re income will increase. Once you’ve had a good measure of success, you know which buttons to push to generate cash immediately or down the road a bit. I find it difficult to be away more than 2-3 days, but having systems and outsourced workers in place helps. Still, if it wasn’t for the wife, kids and church, I’d probably be a 6 day, 60+ hours a week type of person.
But you said it there Michael…”If it wasn’t for the wife, kids, and church” you’d do 60+ hours. This means you have at least 3 priorities over business which means you value those 3 elements of your life more than business.
I’d add in people’s health there also as it seems when work hours increase for most people (not all) their health, exercise, and nutrition starts to suffer somewhere.
There have been plenty of studies that focus on the difference between effort and results. Reading the days/hours that many of the well known work, I was struck by the honesty/insight of Yaro. Lots of people work long hours because they are not secure in themselves. They have not made a distinction between effort and results. I suspect they are spending way too much time on low value task. As Dennis Whatley would say, they are working on tension relieving activities rather than goal achieving activities.
We often will put off doing the important tasks because of fear. The favorite coping mechanism is to find some busy work that we tell ourselves must be done. We can justify not doing the important tasks when we are working 60-80 hours per week filled with low value tasks.
I believe too many people use work as an excuse or rationalization. They do not own their business, they let their business own/rule their lives. Not a healthy way to live.
Excellent points on the difference between effort and results.
Everyone should take a look at their business regularly and decide if their time is spent primarily on the most important activities (no one I know hits 100% here so focus on a majority of your tmie here).
Taking one week and keeping a diary/journal of how you spend your time for the week is often very revealing for most people as they found many hours wasted or spent on activities they could have easily outsourced or even left undone completely.
I’ve had a successful career and now in my retirement, I love doing my internet businesses — that’s right 3 different niche areas where I know I am making a difference for others…and enjoying the income at the same time. Do I work full time…no way…do I get results…absolutely. Do I care if I make as much as others, or a million dollars or spend as much time…not so much. I help my readers, customers and members and enjoy what I earn. For me this is not a race, a contest or a pastime. I provide great products and services, people pay me and I love it. And don’t give a hairy rat about what others think I should or shouldn’t do.
pw
ps this sent from the boat on the Canadian west coast…first time in 11 days I’ve had internet…didn’t even bother to check sales tonight…oh, okay, I just did…they are doing fine.
You have me cheering for, “and don’t give a hairy rat about what others think I should or shouldn’t do.”
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I really think you hit the nail on the head when you said define your success. Time with family and freinds and ghaving the money to do things with them is great. Ask ten people and you get ten different replys. Balance with work,family and God is always a must. Doing it on your terms is always the best. Looking forward to the next post. Thanks
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