There are a lot of upsides to being an entrepreneur, but as I tell the students when I am invited to do a guest lecture on the topic - get used to being busy all the time. Don't assume an immediate exit, commit to five years without a real vacation and weekends working.

The funny thing is, it isn't that much different from what people with normal jobs do. They put in 45 or so hours in the office, take work home, carry the crackberry, and fret about security and cash flow.

There's a great infographic about American worker's hours and habits - check out the comparison of vacation time by nation. I don't know if this applies only to skilled workers or everyone on payroll, but everyone I know is in a state of chronic low-grade burnout or on the verge of it.

We've got two funding rounds that are on the verge of closing. In this economy, pulling that together was not remotely easy. It speaks to the quality of the teams that they have succeeded. But it's been a phenomally tough process.

I'm thinking I may take a whole week of vacation once the wires hit the bank. I think I've earned it. When I do, I'll leave the phone and laptop in the hotel room and pretend that I can be out of touch for ten hours a day. The hardest part, much like my current battle with demon cigarettes, will not be the reality of it, but breaking the habit. Too many years of long days and nights and weekends.... wish me luck!