Hope for the best prepare for the worst

Lesson I have learned the hard way over the years: when working w/ a contractor or collaborating on a project, if you see a potential snag or just a nagging doubt DEAR GOD BRING IT UP and ASK QUESTIONS about how specific things will work. Do not assume anyone has it covered.

I have been burned so many times over the years imagining the worst that could happen at a specific step in a project, not saying it out loud, and then that thing, in fact, does happen. Don’t think, “Oh, I’m just a worrywart, it’ll be fine.” Trust the voice in your head!

Especially when you are working with “experts,” like, electricians or builders or designers or tech teams or whatever — ask them the stupid, obvious questions. The expert constantly misses things the outside observer catches, exactly because they’re not an expert.

If an expert dismisses your stupid question or doesn’t answer it in a way that’s acceptable to you, that is a huge red flag. You should either a) keep on them and ask them more questions b) find a new partner.

Hope for the best, prepare for the worst, always — and if it’s your project, and your ass that’s on the line, remember that nobody cares as much as you do, and nobody is paying as much attention as you are (care is a high form of attention) ^[1]