Beyond 9-9-6: Finding a Sustainable Work Pace for Startup Founders

The Rise of 9-9-6 and the Hustle Culture Myth

“Hustle culture” has glamorized marathon workweeks. In China’s tech scene, the notorious “9-9-6” schedule (9 a.m. to 9 p.m., six days a week) demands 72-hour workweeks. Alibaba founder Jack Ma even praised 9-9-6 as a “huge blessing,” telling employees that if they want to join Alibaba, they must be “prepared to work twelve hours a day.” Similar bragging…