[nugget]

I think success in this context is less about hours of sleep and more about manic focus. You can sleep 8 hours, spend 2-4 hours on random crap, and still work/be around work for the other 12-14 hours. I've been either inside or involved early on with a few very successful startups and none of them felt like an environment of balance or moderation. The founders and early employees (especially technical employees) are maniacs who focus on their product, vision, or whatever it is, at the expense of all else. Founder types especially seem to think about work 24/7 and never really switch that off until the companies have matured significantly.

[zaidf]

This. I think what people most misunderstand about this kind of environment is that the hours are merely the side product, not the main focus. It is very hard to plan that I will put in 16 hour days. But when it happens naturally, it seems like the easiest thing on the planet(and much easier than not doing it). To get to that position, a lot of fuzzy things align(like the clarity of vision, the challenge, the opportunity etc.)

What is also not said is that most manic types also take more extreme vacations. They might take a week off every few months and completely disappear to recharge themselves.

[timthorn]

How is what you describe an "extreme vacation"? Isn't a week off every few months fairly normal?

[aragot]

"Extreme vacations": I think he emphasizes on disconnecting during vacations, maybe doing extreme sports in very unique locations.

[ido]

Yeah, that sounds like a fairly moderate vacation to me...