I Work 95 Hours a Week. But Am I a Workaholic?

The Marathon vs. the Sprint

Imagine a marathon runner, out on the track, clocking mile after mile. To some, it looks exhausting. To the runner, though, each mile is a step closer to the goal. For them, it’s not about the hours spent; it’s about the journey and the satisfaction of reaching the finish line. That’s how I feel about my work.

When people hear I work 95 hours a week, assumptions fly. "You’re a workaholic!" they say. But that label doesn’t resonate with me. To me, those hours aren’t grueling. They’re the miles on my marathon- a race that I’m both driven and grateful to run.

Work is My Passion, Not Just My Job

There’s a big difference between work and a job. Work is about doing what you love; a job is about earning a paycheck. You may not always enjoy it, but you do it for the money. I’m fortunate that my work and job are one and the same. Working on what I’m good at is my first hobby. Although I have other interests, this is where I find the greatest fulfillment. As a CEO, I feel a responsibility to my team, my tenants, every stakeholders and the vision we’re building together. It’s not about pushing myself to exhaustion; it’s about creating something meaningful and watching it grow, one step or mile at a time.

Like a runner who measures progress by personal bests rather than anyone else’s stopwatch, my long hours are driven by my own sense of purpose. There’s a difference between working out of compulsion and working with intention. I’m not putting in these hours for the sake of doing more; I do it because I’m excited to tackle challenges, innovate, and build something bigger than myself. Each step in the journey gives me a sense of accomplishment, energizing me for the next.

I recognize that my work habits can impact my team. I often worry they might feel the need to match my hours, even if I don’t expect them to. I try to communicate that they don’t have to “run my marathon.” I encourage them to maintain their own balance by offering extra days off for personal occasions. Every team member needs the freedom to run their own race, at their own pace.

Growing up in a challenging environment taught me resilience and adaptability. I’ve faced obstacles that could have broken me, but instead, they built my strength. Just like a runner who faces fatigue but keeps going, I work hard because it aligns with my values and helps me grow. These experiences give me the drive to push forward, taking pride in the journey and using each hurdle as an opportunity to become stronger.

So, Am I a Workaholic? If workaholism is working out of compulsion, then no, I’m not a workaholic. I’m a marathoner at heart- someone who found purpose in their work, who sees each mile as part of a larger journey. Others might see the 95 hour weeks as intense, but to me, they’re just part of the race I’m grateful to be running.

The Marathon Isn’t for Everyone! For anyone reading this, here is my tip and it's simple: define your own race. Make it something you love, not just something you do. Whether your journey is a sprint or a marathon, let it be a path you that makes you happy!

As for me? I’m sticking to my marathon, grateful for each mile, and looking forward to many many more.

Fun fact: I don't work on Sundays!