Absolutely, Hoffman’s perspective definitely feels more nuanced and pragmatic, especially when compared to Narayana Murthy’s much stricter stance. Both clearly reject the traditional idea of work-life balance, but Hoffman recognizes that life outside work—like dinners, family time, or hobbies—still has value, even if it’s secondary during the startup grind. He understands that intense focus and sacrifice are temporary and tied to a specific phase of life: building a startup.
Murthy, meanwhile, takes a more all-in, long-term approach that applies broadly to young professionals and demands a nearly relentless work schedule, which can feel a lot harsher and less sustainable.
Hoffman’s view comes off as more realistic and human-centered: yes, you need to be “unbalanced” when chasing big entrepreneurial goals, but it’s not about sacrificing all joy or becoming a workaholic forever. It’s a mindset of temporary, laser-focused commitment that doesn’t deny life’s pleasures outright but puts them firmly in the background while the stakes are high.
So, if you want to build something great—at least in the startup world—Hoffman is basically saying: get ready to be obsessed, stay mentally switched on, and don’t expect a perfect balance until the hard phase is over. It’s a tough but honest take, and definitely more relatable than Murthy’s uncompromising “70 hours a week, no Sundays” rule for everyone.
