As a founder, I was always extremely motivated, to the point it was painful to take a break. I required heavy discipline to slow down. At the point many founders lose motivation, they have likely been working too hard.
There were always tedious things, like refactoring, audits, dealing with investors (the ones who are tire kicking). But as a founder, the tedious stuff becomes a kind of high, something to look forward to. Think of it like grinding in a game or hobby, vs the kind of repetitive grinding you do at a job.
I think maybe one of the differences is that, as a founder, the more work you get in, the less work you have to do later. If you were too efficient at a job, you end up having to do more work at the same pay. Same goes for say, homework, if you're getting straight A's, you have to maintain that work rate.
But as a founder, if you get this thing done, that saves you work for the future and also means more money and less trouble in the long run.
As a founder, I was always extremely motivated, to the point it was painful to take a break. I required heavy discipline to slow down. At the point many founders lose motivation, they have likely been working too hard.