IRL + Long Commute > Remote

One week into Codeium, the makers of Windsurf, and I can tell there will be endless inspiration for juicy GTMBA content. My first observation: if you can get into the AI space, do it (hacks for breaking in) even if there are personal compromises. When I say AI, I mean the model/app/infra layer - it's a completely different game. The inbound flow, deal velocity, product fanboys & fangirls, and ability to land VP/C-Suite meetings at Fortune 100 companies is frankly ridiculous.

But let's start this next chapter of GTMBA with the biggest trade-off of this job - a 60-90 min commute each way from SF to Mountain View 🤮. I almost paused conversations with Codeium because of the daunting commute.

Why IRL Matters

During my interview process, I started to see the magic and potential. Our CEO Varun is adamant about in-person culture and this team grinds. I left the office at ~7PM yesterday and the Engineering floor was still full.

Codeium is shipping faster than anyone in the valley - we launched Windsurf (the Cursor competitor) in November, drove a massive PLG groundswell, and already shipped four major updates (Wave 1, Wave 2, Wave 3, and Wave 4) in just a few months. We do this because (A) the entire team uses Windsurf to accelerate code development, and (B) we're co-located and swimming in the same direction (couldn't help a water analogy here).

Why should you care as a GTM person? Today's market is the most competitive it's ever been - just look at Lovable’s overnight growth story. Competitive advantages rarely last more than a few months, and the only way to stay ahead is shipping faster than your competition. As a salesperson, your already stressful job becomes unnecessarily hard if your product falls behind.

Reframing the Commute

To my surprise, the AM commute is becoming my favorite part of the day. But I've had to change my routine and mindset. I need to be out the door by 6:45AM to beat traffic on I-280, which means planning my mornings in advance.

Here's what works for me:

1. 7AM Meetings - I schedule phone-friendly meetings during commute time. For meetings requiring detailed notes, I'm planning to pilot Granola for iPhone.

2. Podcasts - I download a mix the night before based on my potential mood:

   • GTM/Sales: I love 20Sales - Harry Stebbings may think most AEs are dumb, but his content is great, so we’ll give him a pass

   • Start-Ups/AI/Tech: 20VC | a16z Podcast | This Week in Start-Ups

   • World News: The Economist | WSJ What’s News

   • Random Stuff: Stuff You Should Know

3. Onboarding & Call Prep - During my Codeium interview commutes, I role-played with ChatGPT to refine my interview stories. Now I use this time to practice pitches or listen to Gong calls.

4. GTMBA Strategizing - The commute provides reflection time for article ideas and way to grow our audience. GTMBA is a side hustle; Codeium comes first.

5. EOD Manager 1:1s - The evening commute is perfect for calling my manager to align on onboarding needs.

To be clear, I'd prefer not to have a 60+ min commute. But a situation doesn't define you - your reaction does. I'm fortunate to not yet have kids, and I've reframed the commute to see the positives. I hope you can do the same with your challenges.

Bisous,

Julian

PS: I'm a big breakfast eater still figuring out how to fit in a good meal and workout in the AMs... welcome ideas from the GTMBA community.