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Sure, I've been a solo founder for about 3 years now and found myself most productive with this schedule: 8:00: wake up without an alarm 8:00-8:30: easy custo

Sure, I've been a solo founder for about 3 years now and found myself most productive with this schedule: 8:00: wake up without an alarm 8:00-8:30: easy customer support emails 8:30-9:30: go for a run 9:00-10:00: get changed, coffee, difficult support emails, planning what to work on 10:00-11:30: work on project X 11:30-12:30: lunch 12:30-14:00: work on project X 14:00-14:30: circadian rhythm is at lowest point - break, snack, HN, read the news 14:30-17:00: work on project X Project X alternates pretty evenly every few months/weeks between product development, updating websites, marketing (email updates/brainstorming about lead generation, etc). I try to focus on one project at a time. The key to wearing multiple hats at once is to wear one at a time for a while.

p0d 7y ago
Brilliant, thanks. I especially like idea of focussing on projects. Rather than saying I will do X every day or week forever.
paulie_a 7y ago
You mention marketing and lead generation. Where is the hard sales and follow-up with those efforts. I would expect that to take half the day.
flyingbutt 7y ago
So in total, you work 38.5 hours a week (Assuming that you work on the weekends). That is surprisingly low considering all the hardships of being a solo founder. Kudos!
- fbelzile 7y ago
  I work the occasional weekend and about 2-3 hours hours in the evening twice a week as well. I might also keep up on some support for 10 mins here and there whenever I have some downtime. The only rule my partner and I have is to keep electronics out of the bedroom. Also, for context, we don't have kids.
chirau 7y ago
I am not sure what business or field you are in but your schedule seems very very laid back. Too laid back if you ask me. You are a solo founder and you work less hours than a person who works a regular job. Is your venture profitable?
- mygo 7y ago
  I counted ~5.5 hours per day working on Project X. That’s about the amount of time someone would spend on a 9-5 when you take away lunch and any downtime at work. I think people decide how much time they want to spend on work. Work will expand to occupy the available space. And with appropriately timed breaks, even when you’re not working, your mind continues to work on solving the problem you’re currently tackling. I’ve woken up with some killer solutions to road blocks after taking a power nap. Breaks could serve the same function.
  - chirau 7y ago
    You are assuming they do not do the same stuff other humans do in the 5.5 hours.

p0d 7y ago

Brilliant, thanks. I especially like idea of focussing on projects. Rather than saying I will do X every day or week forever.

paulie_a 7y ago

You mention marketing and lead generation. Where is the hard sales and follow-up with those efforts. I would expect that to take half the day.

flyingbutt 7y ago

So in total, you work 38.5 hours a week (Assuming that you work on the weekends). That is surprisingly low considering all the hardships of being a solo founder. Kudos!

fbelzile 7y ago
I work the occasional weekend and about 2-3 hours hours in the evening twice a week as well. I might also keep up on some support for 10 mins here and there whenever I have some downtime. The only rule my partner and I have is to keep electronics out of the bedroom. Also, for context, we don't have kids.

chirau 7y ago

I am not sure what business or field you are in but your schedule seems very very laid back. Too laid back if you ask me. You are a solo founder and you work less hours than a person who works a regular job. Is your venture profitable?

mygo 7y ago
I counted ~5.5 hours per day working on Project X. That’s about the amount of time someone would spend on a 9-5 when you take away lunch and any downtime at work. I think people decide how much time they want to spend on work. Work will expand to occupy the available space. And with appropriately timed breaks, even when you’re not working, your mind continues to work on solving the problem you’re currently tackling. I’ve woken up with some killer solutions to road blocks after taking a power nap. Breaks could serve the same function.
- chirau 7y ago
  You are assuming they do not do the same stuff other humans do in the 5.5 hours.