I'm not doing 996.

Founder takeaway

Building an ambitious company does not require accepting a 996 work culture. Define success to include both meaningful progress and being present for the parts of life you cannot recover.

Why it matters

A founder’s boundaries shape the company’s norms. Making sustainable ambition explicit helps prevent constant availability from becoming the default measure of commitment.

Relevant guides

Put it to work

Write down the working norms you will not sacrifice—even during high-pressure periods—and ask: “What must we change in our priorities, staffing, or systems to honor these boundaries?”