CEO of Workstream shares his daily routine: ‘Find your own rhythm’
Desmond Lim is co-founder and CEO of Workstream.
Courtesy of Desmond Lim
It’s often said that “there’s no such thing as balance” in entrepreneurship, but startup founder Desmond Lim disagrees.
CEO and co-founder of HR, payroll and recruiting platform Workstream for hourly workers balance, he says, is not only possible, but necessary.
Lim, who works an average of 11 hours a day, said running a company can be very burdensome.
Not only are the hours long, but they can also be mentally draining. “Emotional ups and downs are always very challenging… The highs are very high and the lows are very low,” Lim said.
“Every year you still think the company might die. So I try to remind myself: You’re still alive, you’re healthy, everything’s okay,” he said. “And the other thing is, you can’t stop thinking about the job. I dream about it.”
Therefore, Lim believes it is very important for entrepreneurs to maintain their health and energy. His strategy? Sticking to a fixed daily schedule that works best for your body and brain. “My advice is to find your own rhythm,” the 39-year-old actor said.
Trying to let the non-negotiables out [of the way] in the early morning hours. For me this is a sport.
Desmond Lim
Co-founder and CEO, Workstream
Mixing two types of programs
Lim follows what he calls a “binary program”; article By Paul Graham, co-founder of startup accelerator Y Combinator.
Graham’s article breaks down two types of time management: an executive schedule filled with hours-long meetings, often back-to-back, and a producer schedule designed for creators, such as programmers or writers, who thrive on long, uninterrupted work to focus and develop.
“I actually like my schedule to be mixed up… I like searches, deep studies, searches, deep studies,” Lim said. Lim said he succeeds by mixing the two and following his own rhythm, rather than strictly adhering to a single style.
Here’s what Lim generally looks like during the week:
- 6:30: Waking up
- 07.00-08.30: Exercise or sports
- 8:30 – 9:30: Protein shake and getting ready for work
- 09:30: Arriving at work
- 09:30 – 10:30: Plan the day and get some to-do’s done
- 10:30 – 12:30: Meetings
- 12:30 – 13:00: Lunch with the team
- 13:00 – 14:00: More meetings
- 14:00 – 16:00: Deep work
- 17:00 – 19:00: More meetings (sometimes with people in Asia)
- 19:00 – 20:30: Finish final tasks and work
- 20:30: Leave the office
Lim says he locks his work phone in the closet on weekends and focuses on spending time with his family.
Digging deeper into personal passions
In addition to devoting weekends to family time, Lim prioritizes his passion for sports and exercise by incorporating them into his daily schedule.
“A word of advice [I have] For founders and leaders… it’s about diving deep into a passion you have that isn’t work. [related]” said Lim. “For me, it was sports… I do a lot of basketball, swimming and gym. I think having a balance outside of work helps me a lot.”
Workstream CEO Desmond Lim has been playing basketball since he was seven years old.
Courtesy of Desmond Lim.
Lim developed his love basketball when I was seven years old. He captained school teams from secondary school to university and even played professionally for the Singapore National Youth Team.
These days, she still starts each morning with 75 to 90 minutes of exercise (gymnastics, gymnastics or basketball) with a friend to keep her accountable.
“I truly believe that I can move well… [especially] “As I get older,” he said, “I try to let the non-negotiables out. [of the way] in the early morning hours. For me, this is a sport.”
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