Latest news with #CacheMerrill
Time of India
4 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Software startup founder chased growth with 70-hour weeks until his child's question exposed the main problem with his work-life balance
Source: Business Insider Cache Merrill , founder of the software startup Zibtek, spent years working 70-hour weeks to grow his business. Juggling client demands and late-night deadlines, he believed long hours were necessary to secure a better future for his family. But in the process, his presence at home faded. One evening, a simple question from his child, asking why he no longer joined family dinners, stopped him in his tracks. It made him realise that his work-life balance was out of sync. That moment marked a turning point in both his leadership style and his understanding of what true success really means. The cost of chasing startup success: 70-hour weeks and missed moments Cache Merrill, founder of the software development startup Zibtek , was all-in on building his company. Launched in 2009 while raising three young children, the startup demanded everything he had. He regularly worked 60 to 70 hours a week, waking up before dawn and working late into the night. Client deadlines, meetings, and constant decision-making left him with little time for family. What began as a noble pursuit to secure his children's future slowly created a quiet distance from them. As the company grew, his presence at home diminished. Dinners were missed. Bedtime stories faded. Weekends blurred into workdays. Merrill believed he was doing what was necessary for success until one evening, his child stopped him in his tracks with a simple, heartfelt question: 'Daddy, why don't you eat with us anymore?' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The 5 Books Warren Buffett Recommends You To Read in 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo That innocent question cut deeper than any business setback. It revealed a truth he could no longer ignore: in chasing professional goals, he had unintentionally become a stranger in his own home. It wasn't criticism, it was clarity. And it marked a turning point in both his life and leadership. Redefining the main meaning of success: From provider to present parent Shaken by that moment, Merrill knew something had to change. He reassessed what success really meant, and realised it had to include being present for his children, not just providing for them. He began setting clear boundaries: logging off in time for dinner, being fully available for bedtime routines, and actively engaging in family life again. It wasn't easy at first, but each small step helped rebuild the emotional closeness he had lost. According to a story first reported by Business Insider India, this shift deeply influenced how Merrill led his company as well. He no longer viewed leadership through the lens of constant availability. Instead, he embraced a healthier, more sustainable style, focusing on outcomes rather than long hours and fostering a workplace culture that prioritised well-being and balance. He started encouraging his team to step away from their desks when needed, avoid overwork, and talk openly about stress. He modelled empathy and emotional intelligence , making it clear that taking care of personal health and relationships was not only acceptable, it was essential. As a result, Zibtek began evolving not just as a business but as a human-centered organisation where people felt truly valued. The main truth about leadership: It starts at home Merrill's journey offers a powerful reminder: true leadership doesn't begin and end in boardrooms; it extends to the dinner table, bedtime routines, and the quiet, everyday moments that often go unnoticed. In a world where 'hustle' is often equated with worth, he learned the hard way that presence is a more lasting measure of success. Today, he continues to lead Zibtek with the same entrepreneurial spirit, but with a renewed sense of balance. He no longer feels pressure to be the first in and the last out. Instead, he strives to be available wherever he's needed most, whether that's in a client meeting or sitting beside his children at dinner. His story challenges the outdated belief that professional success must come at a personal cost. Instead, it shows that by integrating compassion, awareness, and boundaries into leadership, it's possible to thrive in business while also nurturing the relationships that matter most. Also Read: ChatGPT and other AI bots other blocked in this US state as fear grow over mental health risks AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
Economic Times
5 days ago
- Business
- Economic Times
He worked 70 hours a week building a startup until his child asked a simple question that changed his life and leadership style
iStock Cache Merrill initially prioritized his startup, leading to long hours and strained family relationships. A poignant question from his child prompted him to redefine leadership, emphasizing patience, empathy, and presence. (Representational image: iStock) When Cache Merrill founded his software development startup Zibtek in 2009, he was already juggling more than most—three young kids aged 1, 4, and 7, and the relentless ambition to scale his business. Like many in the startup world, Merrill quickly got swept into the vortex of 60 to 70-hour work weeks, late-night client emergencies, and a schedule that barely left room for dinner at the table. But it wasn't the pressure from investors or clients that forced him to reassess his routine—it was a simple question from his child: 'Daddy, why don't you eat with us anymore?' In a candid Business Insider article, Merrill opened up about the emotional toll of missing school performances, bedtime routines, and even casual conversations with his children. He admitted that while his spouse was understanding, the disappointment in his kids' eyes cut deeper than any business loss. 'The guilt,' Merrill noted, 'is a constant companion.' This reflection echoes a growing conversation around the personal cost of startup culture, particularly in the wake of controversial viral statements like US-based Indian founder Neha Suresh's claim that '80-hour weeks aren't extreme. It's baseline.' While such statements fuel the 'grind till you make it' narrative, founders like Merrill are beginning to question if that hustle is truly worth it—especially when it risks the very relationships that ground them. — Neha_Suresh_M (@Neha_Suresh_M) For Merrill, the turning point wasn't just about being a better dad—it became about being a better leader. "Prioritising family taught me patience, empathy, and clarity,' he reflected, noting that these are now core values he brings into boardrooms and brainstorms alike. He gradually began drawing firmer boundaries: turning off his phone during family time, opting for check-ins with his now grown-up children, and striving to delegate more responsibilities within his team. His aim wasn't just a better work-life balance—it was sustainability, both at home and in business. Merrill's story arrives at a time when the glorification of overwork is facing increasing pushback. From Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy's 70-hour work week call to Neha Suresh's now-infamous 14-hour day tweet, the tech industry continues to wrestle with where ambition ends and burnout begins. Yet, as neurologist Dr. Sid Warrier recently pointed out on the For a Change podcast, the stress of long hours depends less on the clock and more on the emotional load. 'It's not about work or not work—it's about stress and no stress,' he said, emphasizing that purpose and connection play a vital role in mental resilience. Now in his late 40s, Merrill still logs long hours, but with greater intention. His kids, now aged 16 to 23, no longer need bedtime stories—but they do appreciate nightly conversations and the presence of a father who has learned to show up in full. 'As they've grown, so have I,' Merrill shared. 'Being fully present—even if just for a few moments—can mean more than being physically around all day.'
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Yahoo
This Sneaky App Is Sucking Up Your iPhone Storage, And Here's The Super Simple Way To Free Up Space
When your old-school digital camera got full, you could just switch out the memory card and keep snapping pictures. (And before that, you could simply buy new film.) iPhones, however, are more complicated. For starters, our phones use a lot of data — between photos, videos, apps, messages — and once you run out of space, it takes a bit more work to get going again. Paying for more iCloud storage is always an option, as is deleting everything but the bare minimum, but there's another way that tech experts use to save space on their phones. This will let you take even more photos — without an extra cost. With a surprisingly easy-to-use, built-in tool, you can see if your iPhone is sneakily holding onto extra data. Then you can delete it with a simple swipe and open up more storage. The secret? Look at your texts. If you are a person who keeps text chains for weeks (or months or years), then you might not realize all the data those old exchanges take up on your device. Especially when you have been sending and receiving photos, videos, GIFs and other files. Your phone might be holding onto these files and taking up storage, even though you never intended to save them. Deleting them ― while still keeping your messages ― will give you more space. How To Delete Large Text Attachments See if your iPhone has an abundance of large text attachments and delete the ones you don't need in a few steps: Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage. Under 'Recommendations,' select 'Review Large Attachments.' (You may need to click 'Show All' to see this recommendation.) A list of attachments that are stored in your Messages app from texts you've sent or received to various people will appear here, sorted by date and file size. This might include duplicate photos, screenshots and videos you don't need saved to your phone. Review each one, then slide to delete the ones you don't need. To delete multiple items at one, click 'Edit' and select multiple items, then click the trash can icon on the top right corner. Note: You can also go to iPhone Storage > Messages to see large attachments listed by 'Top Conversations,' 'Photos,' 'Videos,' 'GIFs and Stickers,' and 'Other,' and delete them the same way. Tech experts back up this storage hack. Alan Chen, President and CEO of DataNumen, Inc., a data recovery software company, told HuffPost that this 'is a great way to free up some space on your iPhone.' 'These mostly include those photos, videos and files you've unknowingly accumulated over time through your messages, especially if they're duplicates,' he continued. Cache Merrill, founder of the software company Zibtek, also endorsed this method. '[This] is a practical way to quickly reclaim space,' he told HuffPost. 'The feature neatly compiles photos, videos and files that might already exist elsewhere on your device. Deleting these can indeed offer a fast boost in free storage.' There's one caveat: Before you start deleting attachments willy nilly, Merrill recommended waiting until you have time to really review each item. 'While [this tip] is effective, it's best to review the list carefully rather than deleting everything outright,' he said. 'This ensures you don't inadvertently remove attachments that you may need later.' Merril noted that sometimes attachments saved in your Messages apps may appear to be useless duplicates, but they actually have 'contextual significance,' such as being 'part of a conversation thread with important details.' In that case, you wouldn't want to delete them. Chen emphasized using caution as well. 'If you delete something you actually need, it can be a hassle to recover it. I always advise people to be mindful of what they're deleting.' Both experts recommend double checking that what you are deleting is already backed up on iCloud, your computer, or an external hard drive just in case you need it later. Another Way To Remove Large Files Saved In Messages Going through your iPhone's list of items under 'Review Large Attachments' isn't the only way to clear out the files stored in your messages. You can also go through each individual text thread to see the files that have been sent and received. 'Open the chats where you are frequently active but have files you can afford to lose,' Chen said. This could look like friend group chats or family groups with long videos of kids. 'Go to the media sections of those specific chats and delete the large attachments from there,' he continued. You can do this by selecting a text thread in your Messages app, then clicking on the contact's name. Click on 'Photos' or 'Links' to see files sent and received by you and this contact, then select the ones you want to delete. 'This way, you can avoid losing important data, such as business-related conversations you might want to keep, or that video of your favorite niece you can't let go of,' Chen said. Should You Delete Entire Text Threads To Free Up Storage? If you are an 'Inbox Zero' type of person, chances are you already regularly practice deleting everything after reading it. But for everyone else, sometimes it's hard to know if it's better to delete or save. There are some benefits to deleting. 'Deleting an entire conversation can free up substantial storage, especially if that thread is media-heavy,' Merrill said. However, he recommended asking yourself two things before you do so. First, decide how important the conversation is. 'If a conversation holds critical information — like addresses, directions or sentimental memories — it might be better to archive or back up the text elsewhere before deletion,' Merril explained. Second, opt for a more balanced approach. 'Remove the heavy attachments without losing the text content or selectively delete portions of a conversation rather than clearing it out entirely,' he suggested. That way you don't feel regret after removing a conversation that you might want to look back on later. But keep in mind, if you delete these threads, you can't get them back unless you have a phone backup saved, Chen reminds us. (By the way, it's always a good idea to make regular phone backups on iCloud, your computer or an external hard drive.) Backup Your Phone's Storage Often And Do Regular Clean-Outs To avoid having to go through a full phone storage every few months (or sooner depending on how much you're texting), our tech experts recommended backing up your phone's storage regularly and doing regular clean-outs. 'Regularly checking your storage and cleaning out old files can help keep your device running smoothly,' Merril said. 'Keep in mind that iOS links attachments to the conversation threads, so the cleanup process might sometimes be less straightforward than simply deleting a file.' He also suggested considering another phone clean-out hack: using the automatic deleting messages feature 'if you're comfortable with periodic purging of older messages to maintain storage efficiency.' Access this setting by going to Settings > General > Messages > Keep Messages. You can select 'Forever' if you want to delete the messages yourself, or '1 Year' or '30 Days' if you want messages to permanently delete after either of these time periods. Chen noted that freeing up space like this is 'just one piece of the [storage] puzzle.' 'Phones tend to store a lot of data in various apps and caches, and it's always good to regularly check your overall storage,' he said. Chances are, you don't need every screenshot of funny memes your friend sent you three years ago. This iPhone storage hack can be a super easy way to clear out some space for things you really need (like memes from this week, obviously).This article originally appeared on HuffPost.
Buzz Feed
01-04-2025
- Buzz Feed
This Sneaky App Is Sucking Up Your iPhone Storage, And Here's The Super Simple Way To Free Up Space
When your old-school digital camera got full, you could just switch out the memory card and keep snapping pictures. (And before that, you could simply buy new film.) iPhones, however, are more complicated. For starters, our phones use a lot of data — between photos, videos, apps, messages — and once you run out of space, it takes a bit more work to get going again. Paying for more iCloud storage is always an option, as is deleting everything but the bare minimum, but there's another way that tech experts use to save space on their phones. This will let you take even more photos — without an extra cost. With a surprisingly easy-to-use, built-in tool, you can see if your iPhone is sneakily holding onto extra data. Then you can delete it with a simple swipe and open up more storage. The secret? Look at your texts. If you are a person who keeps text chains for weeks (or months or years), then you might not realize all the data those old exchanges take up on your device. Especially when you have been sending and receiving photos, videos, GIFs and other files. Your phone might be holding onto these files and taking up storage, even though you never intended to save them. Deleting them ― while still keeping your messages ― will give you more space. How To Delete Large Text Attachments See if your iPhone has an abundance of large text attachments and delete the ones you don't need in a few steps: Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage. Under 'Recommendations,' select 'Review Large Attachments.' (You may need to click 'Show All' to see this recommendation.) A list of attachments that are stored in your Messages app from texts you've sent or received to various people will appear here, sorted by date and file size. This might include duplicate photos, screenshots and videos you don't need saved to your phone. Review each one, then slide to delete the ones you don't need. To delete multiple items at one, click 'Edit' and select multiple items, then click the trash can icon on the top right corner. Note: You can also go to iPhone Storage > Messages to see large attachments listed by 'Top Conversations,' 'Photos,' 'Videos,' 'GIFs and Stickers,' and 'Other,' and delete them the same way. Tech experts back up this storage hack. Alan Chen, President and CEO of DataNumen, Inc., a data recovery software company, told HuffPost that this 'is a great way to free up some space on your iPhone.' 'These mostly include those photos, videos and files you've unknowingly accumulated over time through your messages, especially if they're duplicates,' he continued. Cache Merrill, founder of the software company Zibtek, also endorsed this method. '[This] is a practical way to quickly reclaim space,' he told HuffPost. 'The feature neatly compiles photos, videos and files that might already exist elsewhere on your device. Deleting these can indeed offer a fast boost in free storage.' There's one caveat: Before you start deleting attachments willy nilly, Merrill recommended waiting until you have time to really review each item. 'While [this tip] is effective, it's best to review the list carefully rather than deleting everything outright,' he said. 'This ensures you don't inadvertently remove attachments that you may need later.' Merril noted that sometimes attachments saved in your Messages apps may appear to be useless duplicates, but they actually have 'contextual significance,' such as being 'part of a conversation thread with important details.' In that case, you wouldn't want to delete them. Chen emphasized using caution as well. 'If you delete something you actually need, it can be a hassle to recover it. I always advise people to be mindful of what they're deleting.' Both experts recommend double checking that what you are deleting is already backed up on iCloud, your computer, or an external hard drive just in case you need it later. Going through your iPhone's list of items under 'Review Large Attachments' isn't the only way to clear out the files stored in your messages. You can also go through each individual text thread to see the files that have been sent and received. 'Open the chats where you are frequently active but have files you can afford to lose,' Chen said. This could look like friend group chats or family groups with long videos of kids. 'Go to the media sections of those specific chats and delete the large attachments from there,' he continued. You can do this by selecting a text thread in your Messages app, then clicking on the contact's name. Click on 'Photos' or 'Links' to see files sent and received by you and this contact, then select the ones you want to delete. 'This way, you can avoid losing important data, such as business-related conversations you might want to keep, or that video of your favorite niece you can't let go of,' Chen said. If you are an 'Inbox Zero' type of person, chances are you already regularly practice deleting everything after reading it. But for everyone else, sometimes it's hard to know if it's better to delete or save. There are some benefits to deleting. 'Deleting an entire conversation can free up substantial storage, especially if that thread is media-heavy,' Merrill said. However, he recommended asking yourself two things before you do so. First, decide how important the conversation is. 'If a conversation holds critical information — like addresses, directions or sentimental memories — it might be better to archive or back up the text elsewhere before deletion,' Merril explained. Second, opt for a more balanced approach. 'Remove the heavy attachments without losing the text content or selectively delete portions of a conversation rather than clearing it out entirely,' he suggested. That way you don't feel regret after removing a conversation that you might want to look back on later. But keep in mind, if you delete these threads, you can't get them back unless you have a phone backup saved, Chen reminds us. (By the way, it's always a good idea to make regular phone backups on iCloud, your computer or an external hard drive.) To avoid having to go through a full phone storage every few months (or sooner depending on how much you're texting), our tech experts recommended backing up your phone's storage regularly and doing regular clean-outs. 'Regularly checking your storage and cleaning out old files can help keep your device running smoothly,' Merril said. 'Keep in mind that iOS links attachments to the conversation threads, so the cleanup process might sometimes be less straightforward than simply deleting a file.' He also suggested considering another phone clean-out hack: using the automatic deleting messages feature 'if you're comfortable with periodic purging of older messages to maintain storage efficiency.' Access this setting by going to Settings > General > Messages > Keep Messages. You can select 'Forever' if you want to delete the messages yourself, or '1 Year' or '30 Days' if you want messages to permanently delete after either of these time periods. Chen noted that freeing up space like this is 'just one piece of the [storage] puzzle.' 'Phones tend to store a lot of data in various apps and caches, and it's always good to regularly check your overall storage,' he said. Chances are, you don't need every screenshot of funny memes your friend sent you three years ago. This iPhone storage hack can be a super easy way to clear out some space for things you really need (like memes from this week, obviously).
