This startup founder works 11-hour days — but still makes time for family and fitness: ‘Find your own rhythm’

It’s often said that “there’s no such thing as balance” in entrepreneurship, but startup founder Desmond Lim disagrees.

The CEO and co-founder of Workstream, a HR, payroll and hiring platform for hourly workers, says that balance isn’t just possible — it’s also necessary.

Running a company can be very taxing, said Lim, who works about 11 hours a day on average.

Not only are the hours long, but it can also be mentally consuming. “The emotional ups and downs are always very challenging … The highs are very high, the lows are very low,” said Lim.

“Every year, you still think the company could die. And then I just try to remind myself … you are still alive, healthy, everything is good,” he said. “And the other thing is, you cannot stop thinking about work. I dream about it.”

That’s why Lim believes it’s crucial for entrepreneurs to protect their health and energy. His strategy? Sticking to a fixed daily schedule that works best for his body and brain. “My advice is, find your own rhythm,” the 39-year-old said.

Lim follows what he calls a “dual schedule,” inspired by an essay by Paul Graham, the co-founder of the startup accelerator Y Combinator.

Graham’s essay breaks down two types of time management: a manager’s schedule — typically packed with back-to-back, hour-long meetings — and a maker’s schedule, designed for creators like programmers or writers who thrive working in long, uninterrupted stretches to focus and build.

“I actually like to have my schedule mixed … I like to have calls, deep work, calls, deep work,” said Lim. Rather than sticking strictly to one style, Lim said he thrives by mixing both and following his own rhythm.

Here’s what Lim’s weekday typically looks like:

• 6:30 a.m.: Wake up
• 7:00 a.m.to 8:30 a.m.: Exercise or sports
• 8:30 a.m.to 9:30 a.m.: Protein shake and get ready for work
• 9:30 a.m.: Arrive at work
• 9:30 a.m.to 10:30 a.m.: Plan out the day and clear some to-do items
• 10:30 a.m.to 12:30 p.m.: Meetings
• 12:30 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.: Lunch with team
• 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.: More meetings
• 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.: Deep work
• 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.: More meetings (sometimes with people in Asia)
• 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.: Finish up last tasks and work
• 8:30 p.m.: Leave office

On weekends, Lim says he locks away his work phone in a cupboard and focuses on spending time with family.

Along with saving weekends for family time, Lim also prioritizes his passion for sports and exercise by building it into his daily schedule.

“One advice [I have] for founders and leaders is … to go very deep on one passion you have that is not work [related],” said Lim. “For me, that has been sports … I do a lot of basketball, swimming, and gym. I think having a balance other than work has been very helpful for me.”

Lim developed his love for basketball when he was seven. He went on to captain his school teams from middle school to university, and even played professionally for the Singapore National Youth Team.

These days, he still starts each morning with 75 to 90 minutes of exercise —calisthenics, gym training or basketball — often with a friend to keep him accountable.

“I really believe in being able to move well … [especially] as you grow old,” he said. “I try to get the non-negotiables out [of the way] in the early morning. For me, it’s sports.”

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