With that, we've each indulged ourselves a little in terms of the apartments we rented/bought in the new state. We've also socialized a lot more with each other after the acquisition. Over the past 3 weeks we've partied hard 3 or 4 times. It seems like we're all a lot more relaxed, and overall less stressed. It feels really positive, and good.
I've noticed in myself going from 60 hour weeks, to 40 probably.
I still definitely feel a drive, there's a lot of potential upside being so close to the founders of the company that acquired us, but I must say it's not the same drive I used to experience.
It's like a weight is off my shoulders and the feeling of needing to succeed is a lot more dull... but it's definitely still there.
I'm curious if this is a normal experience after an acquisition? A mentor of mine mentioned that in his experience founders take it easier 2 years after an acquisition as a sort of recharge period.. The thought of that makes me uncomfortable for some reason...
It's called incentive alignment. Why work so hard for someone else? They have all the upside of any more 60 hour weeks.