Trust but verify.<p>This is vital enough in CS/engineering but also in life. U can't do it for everything but at least for the things that matter to you or things that you can do it for cheaply (time/effort) and can yield greater results.<p><pre><code> - Back up plans
- Disaster plans
- Legal/financial
- Second opinion for doctors</code></pre>
“Run in the opposite direction of the explosions.”<p>If you’re into this kind of thing try reading <i>Simple Rules</i> by Donald Sull & Kathleen Eisenhardt.