I remember after about 2 months into my first “real job” after college, working as an engineer, it occurred to me that 80% of the problems companies have has nothing to do with how talented their employees are, it’s how well they get along with each other.

Of course you don’t really learn a great deal about that aspect of life in college. In fact, in college, very little of what you do is done in teams.

You’ve probably heard my tales of “Nick” my boss who tried to slice my fingers off one joint at a time. And you’ve probably seen “Fist fight at the board of directors meeting” http://www.perrymarshall.com/fist-fight-pt4/

More companies are killed by pride and arrogance and refusal to listen than lack of competence – undoubtedly.

That said, it’s also important to recognize when a particular strategy or method is not working, and then adjust accordingly.

Amen, sister.

I think one of the biggest things that takes down “gurus” in any niche is the need to extract large amounts of cash from their business at first. You have to plant the farm before you can harvest it. As Proverbs says, “Build your barn first, THEN your house.” Nobody understands that more than a Nebraska farmer. And yes, NE is a good place with a low cost of living – probably 40% less than Chicago, for sure.

For me, it’s absolutely sane (and a really good idea) for an entrepreneur to choose where to live based upon cost of living… not excitement vs. boring, or other more lifestyle based reasons. The things that brought me back to Omaha (after living in Chicago, Nashville, Kansas City) were family and the LOW cost of living. You can do so much with so little money here.

For entrepreneurs (especially if you were someone just starting out), I would not get too caught up in the excitement of “where” you are.. but look at it in terms of how much freedom you can have. The nice thing about a town like Omaha (or even smaller) is that it can really take a lot of pressure off people in our industry because it’s so much easier to cover your expenses. I do get what you’re saying (and I know this isn’t the main point you were driving at), and agree that NE can be boring if you let it be, but would just caution anybody reading from getting swept up in the “exciting” lifestyle they dream of… and measure where they want to live by the amount of freedom they’d have. I’d rather be a little bored, and have a ton of money in savings and available to expand my business, than be worrying about making it month to month to live my dream lifestyle. Hey, that’s what vacations are for.

It’s a trade off I guess, and is different for everyone. I will admit though, I was just in Maui as well… and had more than one thought about moving there… so I’m definitely not immune to desiring a more exciting lifestyle… but then I do the math… just how I’m programmed I think.