CAREER DECISION FACTORS
“talent stack and mental health. get those right, everything follows.”
The Lesson
Beyond salary and commute, consider these career factors. Location: go where there's energy, industry, and luck potential. I moved to San Francisco after college for this reason. Flexibility: don't take jobs that consume all your time with no room for growth. Talent stack: prioritize learning skills that combine well with what you have, even over immediate salary. Mental health: if you can't handle being around sad or troubled people, don't take that job. Value added: take the career where you add most value. That's where you'll have the most power, influence, and eventually money.
Real-World Example
A founder chooses between two offers: higher salary in a declining industry in a small town, or lower salary at a growing startup in a tech hub. They take the lower salary. Location: surrounded by talent and opportunity. Flexibility: startup culture allows side projects. Talent stack: learning skills that compound. Mental health: energetic environment. Value: they're rare talent there. Five years later, the 'lower salary' choice led to 10x the outcome.
Watch Scott explain this lesson
Watch Lesson on Locals →