Best of Work-Life Balance — September 2025

1. 1
   Article

   Armin Ronacher·37w

   996

   A critique of the 996 work culture (9am-9pm, 6 days a week) promoted by some tech companies and founders. The author argues that while intensity and dedication matter, sustainable productivity comes from output rather than hours worked. Excessive work schedules lead to burnout and are particularly problematic when founders impose them on employees who lack the same risks and leverage. True success requires balancing professional commitment with personal life and well-being.

   242

   38
2. 2
   Article

   bonnycode·36w

   Work Hard, Have Fun, Go Home

   Hustle culture prioritizes the appearance of hard work over actual results, creating toxic workplace dynamics that harm both individuals and organizations. The author shares personal experiences showing how strategic thinking and sustainable work practices lead to better outcomes than grinding through long hours. Key warning signs include employees who never take real vacations, single points of failure in critical systems, and leadership that emphasizes effort over results when facing challenges. The most effective teams focus on innovation and value creation rather than time spent at desks.

   131

   10
3. 3
   Article

   Manager.dev·35w

   What's next for manager.dev and for me

   An engineering director shares his 8-month career break experience, exploring entrepreneurship through indie products and startup ventures. After trying to build a parenting app, creating a newsletter monetization strategy, and co-founding a BigQuery analytics startup, he discovered his preference for stability over risk and team collaboration over solo work. He's now returning to full-time engineering management while continuing his newsletter for engineering managers and taking on an evangelist role at a YC startup.

   25

   7