The idea of the workaholic entrepreneur is so common that it is a cliché.
To be a success, entrepreneurs must be devoted to their business, especially if they are working alone. So, they put in long hours—often unreasonably long hours—even at the short-term expense of their health, their friends and their family.
But there is workaholism, and then there is addiction.
Entrepreneurs who cross the line into addiction don’t just work too hard. Rather, for them, the business becomes their life. They derive all meaning from it, and their emotions rise and fall with it. They are always hungry to expand or launch another startup—even if it isn’t wise to do so. They lie to their families about the business and what’s going on with it.
