I had a similar history. My startup was beset by the fact that 90%+ of the time I was alone. I was the only one doing the coding... and to be honest, it got h

I had a similar history. My startup was beset by the fact that 90%+ of the time I was alone. I was the only one doing the coding... and to be honest, it got hard to stay focused. Working with someone, especially who is depending on me, I can work huge days for weeks at a time. Drifting alone for a month at a time... not as much. The experience raised my respect for pair programming tremendously, if nothing else. Since you mentioned lack of focus/tendency to get distracted - do you ever wonder if you're not "startup material"? I mean this not as an insult, but an honest question, since I know I wonder it. I figure the "startup people" who are stuck in faceless corporate jobs are still working at the insane pace necessary for startup life - if not at work proper, then at home. Is there any truth to that? What does someone who is "motivated enough" look like when taken out of a motivating setting? Are they typical overachievers throughout life or do they seem lazy without the tremendous urgency of that lifestyle? Some mix of both, something else?