Saturday, May 06, 2006

No Quarter

It's Saturday afternoon. My son is sleeping upstairs, my daughter is at a birthday party, my wife's working out. What do I do? I work. I feel compelled, almost relieved to work. There is a huge tension that comes with the exhiliration of the startup. That is a certain implied willingness to get the job done, at any cost. Long hours, travel, your friends become your friends at work. Your family lives with your obsession of pursuit of a dream.

We just had our second child a few weeks ago. I feel guilty for not putting in the requisite 80-100 hours per week. Not from my co-workers however. They've been more than supportive and I've been proud of the way the entire team has stepped up over these last several weeks to deliver an initial version of our html product to market.

In a startup, there is no quarter, no place to hide. You are always on and the company depends upon every individual contributor to deliver their best every day, night, and weekend. I wouldn't have it any other way most of the time. My wife knows that I go absolutely nuts if I'm not running 100mph (kinda like I drive). But it would be nice to pause and recharge once in a while.

Maybe in the fall, after we've got the next product pushed out, sales starting to ramp, strategic relationships firmly in place, and next round of funding nearly secure. LOL. Maybe in the fall. ;)


"Walking side by side with death
The devil mocks their every step
The snow drives back the foot that’s slow
The dogs of doom are howling more
They carry news that must get through
To build a dream for me and you
They choose the path where no-one goes.
They hold no quarter, they ask no quarter."

-- Led Zeppelin

2 comments:

Johnny said...

So, how is Mason doing?

This is my latest shot of Declan; http://johnkurtz.blogspot.com/

If you have time for a couple films, this week I recomend Donnie Darko and Thumbsucker. If you already have seen Donnie Darko, was he a paranoid schizophrenic or folder of space and time?

I never hear from you, left a couple v-mails and an email or two; slow down papa, indulge yourself with that recharge, it can really open the mind. Speeding through life can narrow your vision.

Anonymous said...

I think you are protesting a little too much on how you wouldn't have it any other way. Your kids are young for a very short time. It's your choice on which relationships you want to strengthen.

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