Each point was probably refuted in practice by one or the other successful entrepreneur. When something fails, these are the causes that people intuitively come

Each point was probably refuted in practice by one or the other successful entrepreneur. When something fails, these are the causes that people intuitively come up with, but they don't necessarily always cause others to fail. #1: Most software that's interesting is "useful to practically anyone". #2: Mostly agree. But if you don't get the small distractions (like taxes) out of the way ASAP, they pile up and could still kill you: a mounting big honking stinking pile of annoyances that you know you'll have to face some day. It depends on the personality but for some it's easier to focus once the unimportant small fry is still sorted out. #3: With the right people skills (I don't claim I have any), is there such a thing as a "wrong hire"? Sure you couldn't "build up" just about anyone without outright malicious intentions? #4: Agree. #5: One of those non-fatal delusions. Whether you're great or not, "stealth mode" won't hurt or help you much. How could it? #6: This should be typically noticed early enough in the development cycle to be able to switch. How could you suffer through months before questioning your platform? #7: I have yet to meet a great entrepreneur who didn't "suffer" from this. The key is probably self-management and discipline, not magically getting rid of a "personality trait" that brought you to whatever you're doing in the first place. #8: Steve Jobs, anyone? #9: Yeah... harsh but probably true :)