As a bootstrapper with no interest in VC, I can say this rings true. I was never more productive than when I was scrambling to ensure financial sustainability.

As a bootstrapper with no interest in VC, I can say this rings true. I was never more productive than when I was scrambling to ensure financial sustainability. Once things became comfortable, I slowed down. Partly, this was good: recovering social life, dating, etc. You can't keep up a breakneck pace forever. But, I needing more money was a clear, objective metric that kept me focussed. Once you're default alive you need new metrics.