"…I want to make sure I’m running to the right place, not just running hard."

I've heard the 37signals guys similar things, but I'm not ready to give up on having both. I understand that focusing intensely on a single, very specific path _can easily_ result in losing track of the big picture and failing to correct course… but need it? Why not put forth 110% while adding a regular, perhaps even scheduled "big picture gut checks" to your/the team's routine?

"EventVue failed. Since then I’ve tried to have more balance in my life."

I'm not as confident that working less hard will yield to better results. If you really do get more things (and better things) done overall by taking strategic breaks, then by all means — don't let me make you feel guilty :-). I would like to get better at this myself… if it works.

Overall, I still fear that one would need to be even more lucky to make up for any semi-purposely "lost" effort.

Elon may be gazing into the sunset now, but we all know that's not how he became successful.

–Steve Phillips
Go programmer, co-founder of Santa Barbara Hackerspace, and future member of Team Torbit(?)