""The worst advice I hear young founders talk about all the time is that they want to work 18 hours a day. How stupid is that?" O'Leary said in a video on Instagram, sporting a red, cheetah-print top and floral pants. The admonishment comes as everyday workers are increasingly expected to work longer hours. The 996 - a 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., six-day-a-week work schedule that was outlawed in China in 2021 - has been newly glorified in Silicon Valley."
"AI startup Rilla told candidates not to bother applying unless they're excited to work more than 70 hours a week. But contrary to popular belief, working hard does not mean neglecting to take care of yourself, O'Leary said. "This idea that you don't get any sleep, as if it's good for investors, is sheer stupidity," he said. Eating well, getting sleep, and exercising are "how you optimize," he added."
Gen Z founders face a dilemma between protecting mental health and sacrificing work-life balance for success. High-hour cultures such as 996 and job listings demanding 70+ hour weeks are becoming more celebrated in parts of tech. Extreme long-hour expectations are portrayed as a route to competitive advantage, but neglecting sleep and self-care undermines investor appeal and performance. Prioritizing sleep, nutrition, exercise, and focused execution optimizes productivity and resilience. A founder's mindset emphasizes immediate priorities and execution while tuning out peripheral noise. Business leaders increasingly recognize sustainable success requires balance and deliberate well-being practices.
Read at Fortune
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