I've met people with their own businesses (contractors etc). Most of them have said it can be extremely lucrative, but they wish they didn't focus on it so much so they could've spent more time with their family.

They are two different games: As an employee: - Clear tasks. - Defined structure. - Stability (most of the time). As a business owner: - You create the vision. - You solve the problems. - You own the risk and the reward. It’s not about harder! it’s about what you are willing to trade for freedom and growth.