Editor’s Note: With the launch of our Careers platform, we’ve been writing a lot lately about jobs and work. And, inspired by a great post by Brad Feld about how he structures his day, we decided to ask a number of folks in the Boston startup community a simple question: How do you work? Enjoy the first response in our new series, from Bijan Sabet of Spark Capital. Who else do you want to hear from? Leave suggestions in the comments.
Okay, since you asked, here goes…
First, a disclaimer: I’m not sure I’ve figured it out. I feel like my system is getting better but there are times I feel I’m screwing up the life balancing act.
I travel a ton. I go to NYC every week. At least one day. Many times two days a week. When I’m not in NYC I’m traveling to SF. I get to SF every month. Sometimes twice a month. There were periods over the last 7 years when I went to SF 3 times a month. Those days aged me. I feel like I have a better rhythm now. When I go to NYC I get up at 4:30 am and come home at 10pm. My wife waits up for me usually, which is awesome.
I don’t travel Mondays or Fridays.
On Monday I typically get up at 5:30am. I listen to music to get started and spend 30 minutes scanning Kik and my inbox (which is powered by SaneBox). Then I spend 30 minutes reading and writing. I add new stuff to my Tumblr blog just about daily. At 6:30 am I hit the shower and make the kids breakfast. I get to the office by 8:30 am. I spend half of the day with my partners and the other half meeting companies we are very interested in backing. In between meetings I get caught up on Twitter, Tumblr, and email. There is always music playing on my iMac. On days I don’t travel I work out after the kids go to bed. I haven’t been able to figure out how to work out on the road.
On Tuesday-Thursdays I spend about half of my time meeting new entrepreneurs and half of my time supporting founders that we have backed. Those are the days I’m traveling.
On Fridays I catch up on all the things I’ve dropped during the week. I try to block out Friday afternoons so I have time to think, breathe, and make plans for the following week. The only exception to my Friday rule is the Runkeeper board meeting. I assume Jason holds them on Fridays because he’s trying to torture my friend Bryce who travels from the Bay Area.
