SmallBizResource Blog -- Productivity

Like Sands Through the Hourglass...

Posted by Gayle Kesten Friday, Jul 18, 2008, 02:58 PM ET

How many hours a week do you work?

If you're anything like the small-business owners I've spoken to, especially those in start-up mode, then it's probably easier to count the number of hours you don't work. "We work 15 to 16 hours every single day. No vacations, just work," said John Ready, who runs two small businesses based in Portland, Maine. (For more on John, whose life revolves growing his companies, read my post from earlier this month: "A Small-Business Lobster Tale.")

That's why back in May I took exception with Sam Carpenter's claim to be working only two hours per week. He credited the powers of documentation for his resulting freedom and wealth, and while, no doubt, I thought that strategy was sound, the rest of his pitch sounded like, well, a pitch.

So when I read this blog headline on Small Business Trends -- The Myth of the 4-Hour Workweek -- I was happy to see someone else who shared my skepticism. Anita Campbell read Tim Ferriss' book, which she found "motivating and useful" with "good tips about time management and about structuring a business model using outsourced help." She'd even recommend it. But Campbell also says you shouldn't take the book's headline (followed by the subhead "Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich") literally.

She writes: "Listen, I'm all for recurring revenue streams (love 'em) and for making money while I sleep (who wouldn't be?). But anybody who's ever started or built a business knows that you can't do it on 4 hours a day, let alone 4 hours a week. It simply won't happen for the vast majority of us (I'm tempted to say nobody) -- no matter what business you’re in or how well you manage your time. You might be able to get away with a shorter workday temporarily for a period of time, but not for extended time periods. Not even if your goals are just to make a living."

The bigger picture, of course, is effective time management and cutting down on admin tasks so you can focus on our businesses. That's where technology, of course, can lend a hand, but even there you need some time to yourself set up.

The four-hour work week? In my book, the only way to make that happen is to take a vacation somewhere without Wi-Fi.

How about you? How many hours a week do you work?

Productivity