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Most of My Job Sucks

by Hannes Oosthuizen

Last updated 20 May 2025

Most of My Job Sucks

But I wouldn’t trade it for anything

Let’s be honest: being a founder is glamorized way too much.

You see the headlines — big raises, unicorn valuations, Bali workcations — and you start thinking, “Damn, maybe I should start a company too.”

But here’s the truth:
Most of my job sucks.

And yet, I’ve never felt more fulfilled in my life.

The Drive Matters More Than the Day-to-Day

If there’s one thing I’ll always stand by, it’s this:

“The reason you’re doing something is just as important — if not more — than the thing you’re doing.”

Because if you don’t have a reason, you will get crushed.
The long hours. The constant pressure. The sleepless nights.
They’ll break you — unless you’re doing it for something bigger than money or titles or a LinkedIn banner photo.

When people ask how I keep going, the answer is simple:
My reason outweighs the bullshit.

The CEO Job Description: Be the Sh*t Filter

My job title may say CEO, but most days it should probably just say Head of Taking Punches So No One Else Has To.

I deal with the chaos so my team can focus.
I take the hits from upset clients.
I stay up fixing problems no one else even knows exist.

And yeah — I get paid last.

But that’s part of the deal.
Responsibility scales with impact.
And the higher you climb, the heavier the load.

Still want that corner office?

Why I Keep Showing Up

I’ve had friends, family, even colleagues pull me aside:

“Are you okay?”
“You work like a madman.”
“You know you don’t have to do this, right?”

And yeah, I’ve been burned out.
There were months I barely slept.
I joined standups from bed because I literally couldn’t get up.

But I kept showing up — not because I’m a masochist.
Because I had to.

When you’re responsible for an entire team’s growth, wellbeing, and careers…
You don’t get to tap out.

You power through, even when your tank’s on E.
And somehow, the fulfillment outweighs the fatigue.

It’s Not About the Paycheck

Here’s a fun fact:
I’m not even the highest-paid person at my company.

And I don’t care.
Because my “salary” comes from something deeper — the satisfaction of watching people around me grow, level up, and do the best work of their lives.

I get to build something bigger than myself.
And create opportunities for others while doing it.

That's the real win.

Fulfillment > Comfort

This job is brutal.
But it’s mine.

I built this company from the ground up.
Every client. Every contract. Every process. Every late-night decision.

I’ve seen lives change because of the work we’ve done.
That’s not fluff — that’s real impact.

So yeah — most of my job sucks.

But the part that doesn’t? That’s the part I’d bleed for.

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