Is it possible to work fewer hours as an entrepreneur?

Running your own business comes with freedom, but this independence often has a price. While 77% of entrepreneurs value the flexibility to set their own hours, that autonomy can quickly turn into overwork. According to a recent BDC survey of over 600 respondents, Canadian entrepreneurs work an average of 49.7 hours per week, and more than half put in 50 hours or more.

The result? Most business owners experience work-related stress, and over 40% say they feel overwhelmed by their workload. A majority also report having a poor or very poor work-life balance. Financial pressure adds to the strain: 40% of entrepreneurs report having to combine multiple sources of revenue to manage financially.

In this post, we’ll share practical tips to help entrepreneurs take back control of their schedule to work fewer hours, whether by delegating more effectively, by automating routine tasks or by hiring support for essential functions.

How many hours do Canadian entrepreneurs work?

Learn to delegate

The single most effective way for business owners to reduce their workload is to learn how to delegate properly.

Indeed, many entrepreneurs never even get around to defining their employees’ roles and responsibilities. When duties aren’t well defined, tasks will often fall through the cracks. As a result, the business owner usually has to step in to plug the gaps, adding more work hours to an already long day.

To avoid this, clarify the different roles in your business. Think about workflows: Go through all the steps in your customer journey, for instance, or in your production line, and map all your processes. Once you have identified every step, assign each one of them to a different person or role.

A best practice would be to formally document workflows and job descriptions, but it may be a lot of work for smaller businesses. If your company is not yet big enough to require a formal process, proceed more informally.

With time, you may realize that tasks are still falling through the cracks or are getting duplicated, forcing you to do extra work. Perhaps you forgot to assign a crucial step, or a change in technology forced you to modify your processes.

Keep your job roles and responsibilities updated to avoid too much work falling on your shoulders.

5 steps to become better at delegating

Here are five steps to become better at delegating:

1. Identify tasks to delegate
   Assess your workload to determine which tasks can be assigned to others, especially those that are time-consuming or outside your core strengths.
2. Choose the right person
   Assign tasks to employees whose skills and experience align with the responsibilities, ensuring better outcomes.
3. Provide clear instructions
   Clearly communicate the objectives, expectations, and deadlines to avoid misunderstandings. Make sure that your team has access to the tools, information, and authority needed to complete the tasks effectively.
4. Support your team
   Build employee skills with training and coaching.
5. Monitor progress
   Check in periodically, offer constructive feedback and discuss areas for improvement. Regularly evaluate your delegation practices to identify what’s working and where adjustments are needed for better efficiency.

Delegation means growth

One business owner we helped recently was stuck in the weeds, making every decision and approving every task. He had not provided his team with the authority to take on basic responsibilities, so every employee reported to him personally.

With our help, he identified three key employees who could take on management responsibilities.

Now, he meets with them regularly, but they handle the day-to-day, freeing up a number of hours in his schedule.

Beyond easing your workload, learning how to delegate effectively will also unlock your business’s potential. No owner can scale a company alone. Your company’s growth will always be limited by your own abilities and energy if you do it alone. Taking your business to the next level means letting go and giving your team the structure and authority to step up.

Delegating will also free up your mental space, whether you need it to rest or refocus on other business activities.

When in doubt, hire out

Even if you’re a skilled delegator, there may come a point when there’s simply too much work to do. That’s when you need to consider bringing in reinforcements—either by hiring new staff or outsourcing specific tasks.

When your business is understaffed, everyone suffers: You’re overwhelmed, your team can burn out from overwork, and your customers will not get the service or quality they expect. Hiring is often the right solution.

Even with staff in place, you can still be overworked. In that case, an executive assistant, even part time, can make a big difference.

With the right person in place, you can delegate tasks like managing emails, organizing your calendar and prioritizing your day. Effective triage by trusted individuals can significantly save time and mental effort.

When hiring isn’t practical—for example, if you only need help for a short period or a specific project or activity—outsourcing can be a smart, flexible option to reduce your workload.

Focus on what creates the most value

Many entrepreneurs try to take everything on themselves, from HR to product design to bookkeeping and marketing. These activities, which are often far removed from your core business and your customers, can occupy a big part of your schedule. When those tasks aren’t in your area of expertise, they tend to take even more time and energy, adding unnecessarily to your workload.

A useful starting point is to ask: “What business am I really in? What’s my competitive advantage?” If your expertise is product design, you may want to outsource manufacturing. If it’s machining, maybe design or sales are better if delegated. Strategic partnerships can create synergies between a network of small businesses, allowing each to thrive in their own area of specialization and amplifying each one’s success.

Ultimately, the key is to focus your energy where you add the most value, and outsource the rest. That’s not just good for your workload. It’s good business, allowing you to focus on staying close to your customers and perfecting what is most important to them.

Automate the work

Technology can be a lifesaver when it comes to freeing up time in your day.

For example, scheduling software can automate various aspects of employee management, including shift scheduling, communication and time tracking. This reduces your administrative burden and minimizes the risk of scheduling conflicts or errors, preventing additional work for you down the road.

Digital solutions can also boost efficiency in your business. AI-powered tools can help you organize your calendar, find information quickly, or streamline daily tasks, saving you time in the process.

Operational changes

There are simple operational tweaks you can make to ease your workload. One option is adjusting your business hours. If your company experiences quiet periods during the day, consider closing during those times or limiting services. Of course, this depends on your customer base and operational model, but such changes can provide both cost savings and time relief.

Is it possible to work fewer hours as an entrepreneur? The answer is yes—if you're willing to work smarter, there is no need to work harder. By learning to delegate effectively, hiring or outsourcing where it counts, and making smart use of technology, you can lighten your load without sacrificing performance.

Next step

Looking for more advice? Discover how BDC can help with advisory services and financing, and explore our resources for entrepreneur well-being.