Don’t bitch about where you live.

We spend a lot time talking about community in our field of work. It came up multiple times at SXSW, it’s a legit concern for those who run business, and something that is on my mind a lot as we grow. Are the cost advantages of operating in Tulsa greater then being in the VC/media/tech savvy Valley. There’s an interesting new book
about what city is best for an individual.

I’ll be the first to talk about the advantages of one city over another. I’ve had friends who have had to move their whole companies because of the business implications of one city over another. Yeah, it drives me nuts that Tulsa does not have more direct flights, I wish we had mass transit and less red necks, etc… But you know what, who cares… I love the things we do have and in particular that I’m close to my family.

I’m sitting on a flight back to Tulsa with a lady seated in front of me who has been flat out bitching about living in Tulsa for the last 30 minutes. In the row back, I am sitting next to a soldier. (Who after talking to, told me he was flying back from his base to meet his then in labor wife!) All I can think of is how totally pathetic this woman is right now. Be happy you don’t live in a desert hut worrying about being shot.

As American’s we take for granted so much. Even if she lives in Tulsa’s slums (she doesn’t) her quality of life is better then most everyone in the world. Appreciate that.

While this woman is an extreme example of my point, she has left me with the question of how much brain power and time is wasted worrying about crap like this. I have to stay aware of our corporate presence in multiple markets and its implications, but I am left asking myself if I’ve put more time into worrying about that then connecting through O’hare.

Something to ponder.