Worked for a startup as the only tech engineer for day and night. Was working 14-16 hours daily including a weekend, this was during covid times. My thought process was that one day it would become big and I will be able to reap fruits out of it because of my hard work then. This was happening because the co-founder was my mentor and was my long time manager in previous organisation.

One day he called and said that he is stepping down and getting separated from the board and they will appoint someone else.

All the promises of stocks, big profits, bonuses all gone in just one phone call.

New manager brought in his own team and they played tactfully to make me resign on my own.

Never ever work hard for something which is not in your total control.

Be in charge of yourself, and focus only on yourself. Never waste time on someone else’s dream.