I think it's much simpler than that. There can be several reasons.
* It's more fun to work on other people's problems,
* it's more financially rewarding to work for clients,
* clients always come first, and/or
* it's much easier to prescribe medicine than take it yourself.

In other words, it's plain human nature.

Couple of architecture firms I worked for have outdated decor, were disorganized, cluttered, dirty, surrounded by death plants and broken furniture. You wouldn't think they are design companies if you walk into one.

I think the main reason is "perfect or nothing". We talk a lot about what we should do but never come to a conclusion what or when. There is a flood of new ideas everyday, we don't know what to choose from. What if I make this decision, then there is a better option tomorrow?

It bothers new clients that the offices were in poor shapes. But old clients saw it as the sign that we are really really busy, which means their money was used on the projects.

I find that I have the most introspective insights when I am listening to a friend go through a similar situation. By seeing it through their situation, it helps me look at it from a different perspective. Sometimes, I will be trying to figure something out for myself for weeks at a time and when a friend says they are going through something similar. I can almost immediately tell them the answer to their problem even though I couldn't do the same for myself.