When in doubt, chicken out. That’s right: when you reach a standoff with reality that exceeds the magnitude of a DEFCON 4 situation, chicken out…if possible.
Now, normally I am in favor of building up routines for dealing with uncertainty: collect data, confer with those who are knowledgeable, and deal rationally with it. This has been made easier with the internet; research is faster than when all you could do was wait till the library opens.
But sometimes running away IS the best solution if you are not embroiled in it already. And that is why Lou believes in preemptive research if at all possible. Having a few ideas of what you can expect before the fact. Avoiding certain situations is superior to dealing with them after the fact. Remember that old saying? It’s hard to remember that your original goal was to drain the swamp when you are hip deep in alligators”
Unfortunately, life happens; despite prior, proper preparations, we wind up with piss poor performance (Remember the seven P’s!). We don’t often get to pick and choose the situations we land in or upon. In those cases, research is even more important to gather as much data on what we face as possible, and reaching out for information and support from other people is even more important.
Oh, and one other thing… stay out of that darned swamp. The alligators are ferocious!
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Ha — “when in doubt, chicken out” might be some of the most underrated life advice out there. I really like the distinction you’re making between doing your homework ahead of time, which is great, and getting stuck fighting a battle you never needed to be in, which is also something worth avoiding. And point taken on the swamp — I’ll stay out of the alligators’ way. Thanks, Lou.
Those sayings don’t cover the entire lot, but they are useful to keep in mind!
Nice one, Lou. The question for most people, caught in the quagmire they didn’t foresee, tends to be, “how to backtrack and still save face?” Which may be folly, depending on how upset the alligators have become.
“When in doubt, chicken out”
I love this!
It seems that every time they report an alligator attack on the news, they end the report by stating, “alligator attacks are very rare….” There is meaning in being up to your ass in alligators! Stay the heck out!
That’s good advice that I have not often followed to my peril (and some good stories…). But, so far, no alligators. A few rattlesnakes, though.
Real good advice