3 ms·
I was co-founder of a (YC-backed) startup for 4 years until we were forced to close, so I don't know if you can define us as "successful". Anecdotally speaking
by jamescun 11y ago
I was co-founder of a (YC-backed) startup for 4 years until we were forced to close, so I don't know if you can define us as "successful".
Anecdotally speaking, I started off working with no life. There is a lot to be said for time periods where you shut out all else and just focus on your business, in fact the YC programme gave good impetus to only "write code, speak to customers or exercise". However doing this for extended periods is a great way to burn out.
Initially any time I took off I felt incredibly guilty about. I however came to the realisation that stepping away, even just for an evening to see friends, allowed me to recharge my batteries and I was able to recoup the lost time and then some.
A company is only really the sum of its people, and if those people aren't firing on all cylinders then it will become apparent. In short, lead a balanced life.
- zebra 11y agoAs I like to say, building medium to big project is like running marathon and not a sprint, because at the moment when you have no air and you are exhausted you will have to stop. And a half-build project is useless opposed to a late project that works. Better late than never.
- rcarrigan87 11y agoThe guilt when you do take a break is definitely one of the hardest things to get past. Very hard to truly unplug even if you've stepped away from your computer to go out with friends.
- danmaz74 11y agoWhy on Earth would somebody downvote this? Unfortunately, this is how many people feel when you have lots of responsibilities to many other people.
- percept 11y agoPerhaps rest should be the fourth leg of that platform, made explicit.