Elon Musk, the genius behind SpaceX, Tesla, and The Boring Company, is one of the most successful entrepreneurs in the world. As the leader of these innovative companies, many people wonder how much of his time he spends at work.
In a 60-minutes interview, Musk revealed that he typically works around 100 hours per week. That amounts to 14 hours per day and 7 days per week! That is double, if not triple, the amount of hours the average entrepreneur works.
The main purpose of this feat is simple: success. According to Musk, efficiency has enabled him to achieve more than anyone else in the world. He explained, “If other people are putting in 40-hour workweeks, and you’re putting in 100-hour workweeks, then even if you’re doing the same thing you will achieve in four months what it takes them a year to achieve.” This goes to show that his hard work is paying off.
Musk himself admitted that he doesn’t consider the incredible number of hours he works to be healthy. However, he believes that exercising, working, and sleeping are very important to maintain his productivity. All this means that he’s constantly on a tight schedule and makes sure that he has enough rest in between. He also suggested that he is able to manage it because his multiple companies are “enormously engrossing.”
Musk’s long hours of hard work have drawn lots of attention. Although Elon Musk’s enthusiasm towards long hours of work has made this the norm among many other entrepreneurs and industry leaders, it is important to note that this is not something that should be encouraged. Working hard is important, but it is also vital to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
Difficulties Of Working Long Hours
Regularly working long hours can have adverse effects on human health. Studies have found that people who work for more than 10 hours a day are more prone to depression, exhaustion, and insomnia. Furthermore, such extreme hours may lead to an inability to focus and retain information. These physical and mental difficulties could cause significant impairment in a person’s productivity.
Studies have also proven that people who work more than 50 hours a week often do not have time to look after their households and families. This leads to anxiety and in extreme cases, frustration and resentment towards their jobs, and ultimately, leads to slower progress and fewer accomplishments as a whole.
Therefore, although Elon Musk has achieved great success, it is essential to note that this kind of taxing workload is not suitable for everyone. And it is especially not suitable for people who do not thrive in an environment of constant stress and limited free time.
Advantages Of Working Long Hours
Despite the long hours and effects it may have on one’s health, some people believe that working long hours can be beneficial for success. It could be argued that the increased amount of time can help to increase productivity, because it allows a person to focus more on their work, to think more ideas through, and to manage projects better.
Another advantage of working long hours is its ability to give one more time to focus on their work. Long hours of work can also be beneficial for individuals who thrive in an environment of stress. These individuals believe that the more pressure placed on them the better results they will eventually produce. Additionally, working more hours can make one more creative because the larger the workload, the more likely they are to think of innovative solutions.
Furthermore, working long hours can also help to build relationships with colleagues. People who work long hours will often create a team environment and bond while they attempt to reach their goal. This could be beneficial because it motivates the team to remain productive, to come up with better solutions, and to work better together.
Health Hazards From Working Long Hours
Despite the advantages of working long hours, its health hazards should not be downplayed. It is crucial to keep in mind that when working long hours, one needs to make sure to take care of their body. Working too much can lead to burnout and exhaustion, which can lead to physical and psychological issues.
The lack of free time can also cause one to lack motivation. Long hours can also lead to weight gain, since it would be extremely hard to maintain healthy diets and physical activity while having to work long hours. Taking regular breaks is important in these cases and one should also consider attending wellness classes to help them manage stress and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Moreover, it is important to remember that taking frequent breaks may help one to stay focused for longer periods without feeling exhausted. When working too many hours, it’s also important to learn how to manage stress and fear by talking to friends or even attending therapy.
Can Everyone Work Long Hours Like Elon Musk?
Working for long hours can be beneficial, but as mentioned before, it does come with risks. Everyone is different and may have different approaches towards work. Some people may thrive in an environment of stress, while others may not perform well when constantly under such pressure.
It is key to remember that when it comes to working long hours, balance is important. One should be able to manage their own stress levels, lifestyle, and diet while making sure to take care of their physical and mental health.
Alternative Working Arrangements
Other than long hours, there are alternative working arrangements that may be suitable for some people. Flexible working arrangements such as compressed workweeks and telecommuting can be beneficial to many employees and they allow them to achieve a work-life balance that suits their lifestyles.
Flexible work arrangements can be an advantage for employees, who can decide how the day should be structured to suit their needs best. For example, a person may choose to take a longer lunch break and work later to make up for the extra time. This way, an individual can combine long hours with relaxation and family time, allowing them to be productive while still having a life outside of work.
Moreover, telecommuting offers a great way to work long hours while avoiding the commute. It can be a great alternative to working in an office and it can help to save time and money, as well as enabling people to work in an environment of their own.
Benefits Of Working Long Hours
Finally, apart from the health hazards, working long hours can have its benefits. Success can be achieved more quickly when one works for long hours, compared to a normal working day. Working for longer hours can provide the opportunity to take on bigger projects, and could also help one to stay ahead of the competition.
Additionally, working long hours can lead to better results as an individual can have more time to achieve their goal. It can also give one the opportunity to work on projects thoroughly and make sure that the results are faultless.
In conclusion, it the number of hours that one should work depends on what works the best for them, and the risks and benefits of working long hours should always be taken into consideration. We can strive to work hard, but it’s also important to make sure that we’re taking care of our health and well-being. Working long hours is possible, but one should not feel obligated to do it.
