A subsmax approach: work in focused 90-minute blocks at 80-90% of your mental capacity. Leave a little gas in the tank. You’ll produce more high-quality work over a full week than the person who redlines every day. Founders often chase maximum growth: raise the most money, hire the fastest, scale at all costs. But “hypergrowth” frequently ends in layoffs, culture collapse, and cash flow crises.
April 14, 2026
But here’s the hard truth: It’s a short-term lever, not a long-term strategy. subsmax
So go ahead. Back off the redline. Leave 20% on the table today—so you can show up again tomorrow.
Subsmax growth means growing at a sustainable rate—say 15-25% annually instead of 200%. It’s less exciting to VCs, but it builds companies that last. Because it feels like laziness. A subsmax approach: work in focused 90-minute blocks
But what if the secret to long-term success isn’t hitting the ceiling—but staying just below it?
4 minutes We live in a world that glorifies the max. Max output. Max reps. Max hours logged. Max growth. Founders often chase maximum growth: raise the most
Our culture punishes “less than max.” If you’re not grinding, you’re falling behind. If you’re not going all out, you’re not trying hard enough.