When I started out as an entrepreneur, I wore long hours as a badge of honor.
For me, “long hours” meant 18–21 hour workdays.
I took pride when people said I was available across all time zones. Sales calls at midnight, project delivery in the morning—my calendar never slept, and neither did I. At that time, youth and adrenaline helped my body keep up. No one told me it wasn’t sustainable.
Success came fast, but so did the silent damage. By 2018, sleep was a stranger. It took me 3–4 years of struggle to rebuild the simple habit of night sleep.
For the last three years, I’ve disciplined myself to sleep at nights. But the price I paid is written all over my health—hypertension, cholesterol, muscle stiffness, indigestion, and gut issues.
My advice to young entrepreneurs:
Yes, the path is challenging. Yes, you need to be ahead of the race. But don’t mistake sleeplessness for hustle. Let business happen in the day, let your body rest at night.
Because what’s the point of success if you can’t enjoy it in good health?
AnandNataraj 