[CompSci87]

As Al Franken said at my sister's Harvard graduation, "You know I think there are people at their deathbed that thought to themselves.  I should have worked harder in my 20s and 30s.  My life would have turned out better."

In my experience, people who worked harder than their peers in their 20's and 30's end up working harder than their peers in their 40's, 50's, and 60's. Hard work begets more responsibility begets more hard work. I'm sure there's the occasional "I hit the dotcom jackpot and now I sit at home all day and play video games" but even those who hit the jackpot seem to go back to the well to see if they can hit it harder the next time. I personally can't fathom how Larry and Sergey can keep motivated with their personal wealth. But I guess that's part of what explains how they founded google and I joined the Fortune 500 after my first start up went bust.

Those who go back aren't necessarily looking for even more wealth; some are probably going back because it's what they like to do most. Larry and Sergey would probably be dreadfully bored sitting at home all day and playing video games, and maybe even more active endeavors like running sports teams, building America's Cup yachts, etc. don't appeal to them.

[CompSci87]

As Al Franken said at my sister's Harvard graduation, "You know I think there are people at their deathbed that thought to themselves.  I should have worked harder in my 20s and 30s.  My life would have turned out better."

In my experience, people who worked harder than their peers in their 20's and 30's end up working harder than their peers in their 40's, 50's, and 60's. Hard work begets more responsibility begets more hard work. I'm sure there's the occasional "I hit the dotcom jackpot and now I sit at home all day and play video games" but even those who hit the jackpot seem to go back to the well to see if they can hit it harder the next time. I personally can't fathom how Larry and Sergey can keep motivated with their personal wealth. But I guess that's part of what explains how they founded google and I joined the Fortune 500 after my first start up went bust.

Those who go back aren't necessarily looking for even more wealth; some are probably going back because it's what they like to do most. Larry and Sergey would probably be dreadfully bored sitting at home all day and playing video games, and maybe even more active endeavors like running sports teams, building America's Cup yachts, etc. don't appeal to them.