‘Stop acting successful before you actually are’: Delhi co-founder says early careers need fewer boundaries, work-life balance can come later

A LinkedIn post by a Delhi-based professional questioning how early-career workers approach work-life balance has sparked widespread debate online, with many calling it a reflection of hustle culture while others defending its core message on availability and timing. The post was shared by Aryan Anurag, a Delhi-based professional and co-founder, who argued that being available at the start of one’s career can decide who gets opportunities and who misses out. His remarks came through a personal anecdote that quickly went viral and drew strong reactions on LinkedIn.

In his post, Anurag recalled reaching out to a “very young founder” late on a Friday with what he described as an “exciting and important project.” The response he received was, “Let’s connect on Monday.”

Anurag wrote that instead of waiting, he contacted another professional that same night. “So I called someone else that same night, and the other guy picked up immediately, we discussed the project, and I gave him the work,” he said. When the first founder followed up on Monday, Anurag told him the opportunity was no longer available.


He clarified that his intention was not to criticise the individual but to highlight what he sees as a reality for newcomers. “The point of me talking about this is not to rant about the 1st guy, it’s just to put it out there that, availability, at the start of your career, is a very important skill,” he wrote.

Availability matters early on, says Anurag

While acknowledging the importance of balance, Anurag argued that postponing conversations can be costly for people just starting out. “‘Let’s speak next week’ doesn’t work when you’re starting your career,” he wrote.

According to him, established professionals can afford to delay discussions because “opportunities chase them,” but early-career workers often need to chase opportunities instead. “You talk now, or in an hour or if needed then at 10 PM on a Friday if that’s when someone calls,” he said.

He also stressed that skill alone does not always decide outcomes. “The person who got the work wasn’t more talented than the first guy. He was just more available,” Anurag wrote, adding that boundaries should come after credibility is built.

His post concluded with strong lines that drew the most attention: “Remember that your weekends are not more important than your future. The market doesn’t care about your schedule. It only cares about your hustle.” He urged readers to “stop acting like you are successful before you actually are IF you want to be extraordinarily successful.”

Pushback from LinkedIn users

The post triggered heavy backlash, with many users saying it framed boundaries as laziness and normalised burnout. One user said Anurag had the right to assign urgent work elsewhere but criticised presenting the incident as a broader rule for success. Another questioned whether availability should be treated as a measure of ambition.


Several users pointed out that saying “let’s connect on Monday” does not automatically indicate lack of drive. Others argued that weekends and personal time should not be dismissed simply because someone is early in their career. Some also warned that glorifying constant availability can create unhealthy work environments.

As criticism mounted, Anurag issued a clarification post, saying his comments were aimed only at those seeking exceptional outcomes. “This is for those who want to be extraordinarily successful. Extraordinary output = extraordinary input. Rest to each their own,” he wrote.

He also added that his organisation runs a remote setup with “an unlimited no questions asked leave policy,” stating that work culture at his company is flexible.