As an entrepreneur and small business consultant who has both struggled with and ultimately prioritized balance, I‘ve seen firsthand the challenges of maintaining equilibrium between work and personal life while growing a company. The temptation is often to go full throttle, working endless hours to try making the business succeed. However, the data reveals that ignoring work-life balance comes at a major cost.
1. 95% of Entrepreneurs Work More Than 40 Hours a Week
The allure of entrepreneurship is being your own boss, keeping flexible hours without a rigid schedule. But the reality seldom matches the dream. An overwhelming 95% of entrepreneurs work more than 40 hours a week on their business, with one-third working over 50 hours and nearly one-fifth over 60 hours weekly. (1)
I certainly fell into this trap in the early days of my company, routinely working 16 hours a day, 7 days a week. At first it feels exciting, but fatigue and burnout set in quickly when you don‘t take time for other aspects of your life. I had to learn the hard way to step back and create a more balanced schedule.
2. 74% of Entrepreneurs Experience High Stress
Working long hours takes a toll. A 2021 study by BNI revealed that 74% of entrepreneurs report high stress levels, compared to just 48% of traditional employees. In fact, over one-third classify their stress level as “very high” or “extremely high”. (2)
I used to shrug off stress and anxiety as an unavoidable part of the entrepreneur hustle. What I‘ve come understand is that chronic stress hurts not just your mental health but actually undermines the success and sustainability of your business in tangible ways. It leads to poor decision making, strained relationships with employees and partners, and otherwise avoidable mistakes that cost time and money. Making balance and self-care a priority combats those issues.
3. 200% Higher Healthcare Costs at Companies With Poor Balance
There is a clear link between lacking balance at a company and increased healthcare expenses. Research shows that businesses with poor work-life balance incur 200% higher healthcare costs per employee compared to companies prioritizing balance through policies like flexible scheduling. (3)
As an entrepreneur trying to maximize limited resources, this data grabbed my attention. It demonstrates that investments in balance like allowing remote work or adjusted hours end up saving money rather than costing more. Supporting employees’ overall wellbeing reduces spending on physical and mental health issues. My company saw 30% lower healthcare premiums after implementing balance friendly flexible work arrangements.
4. 21% Higher Productivity Rates With Strong Balance
While some entrepreneurs assume they need to sacrifice personal life to fully commit to their business, the truth is that lack of balance sabotages productivity. Employees with good work-life balance demonstrate 21% higher productivity rates compared to those without balance. (4)
I used to falsely equate long hours with effectiveness until I realized my own output suffered when I felt exhausted or resentful from no personal time. Now I block out periods for exercise, family activities, and hobbies – and come back refreshed with clearer focus. My best strategic thinking actually happens away from my desk, giving my subconscious space for creative connections.
The key insight I want entrepreneurs and business owners to understand is that reasonable balance makes you more productive, not less. Your energy, concentration and inspiration are all replenished.
5. 33% of Employees With Balance Stay At Their Company
With today‘s ultra-competitive job market, retention is top of mind for entrepreneurs. The cost of recruiting and training new employees when people leave is massive. Here too, statistics demonstrate that 33% employees say they stay at a company specifically because of its work-life balance support. (5)
After improving flexibility and balance policies at my organization, turnover decreased by over 20%. That helped keep operations running smoothly compared to perpetual churn. My advice to entrepreneurs is don’t view benefits like remote work options or family leave as “perks” unrelated to the bottom line. They are smart, strategic investments that build an engaged, loyal team.
Rather than an abstract ideal, I’ve learned from hard-won experience that work-life balance fundamentally enables entrepreneurial success. Ignore it at your peril – the personal, financial and productivity consequences are all too real. But get it right, and your whole business reaps substantial rewards.
In my coaching practice supporting other entrepreneurs, I help identify boundaries and practices that create sustainable balance given the realities of starting and running a company. Feel free to get in touch if you need an empathetic ear or want tailored ideas for finding more harmony without fully abandoning your entrepreneur hustle. This journey isn’t easy, but it certainly can be done.
