Life

1. How you do anything is how you do everything.
2. Perfect is the enemy of the good.
3. As soon as you notice a mistake, correct it.
4. Don't work so hard that you lack the energy to clean up.
5. Once you experience a problem, prevent it from ever happening again.
6. Do what the next guy wished you had done.
7. Effects matter and intentions matter.
8. Always be prepared.
9. If you are going onto your roof, wear a rope.

Travel

1. Pack like a nested doll. It is efficient to unpack a smaller pack for day trips, and an even smaller one for a night out.
2. Have a detachable go bag with critical day items and no more: passport, water, battery pack, money, phone, etc.
3. Carry a pen and notepad.
4. Underwear is pretty much all you need to worry about.
5. No bull shit clothing, either start fancy and discard or end fancy and acquire. Linen slacks and a collared shirt look good everywhere.
6. Have a check list for your things and check it every time you leave an area.

Woodworking

1. When buying wood, specify exact grain, dimensions, and surface finish in detail.
2. When buying wood, Inspect every board for defects, warp, and dimensions before receiving order.
3. When buying tools, do extensive research, buy the best you can afford and take care of it for your grandchildren.
4. Mark your parts in areas that won't be later cut away, use stickers if easier.

Running a Business

1. Don't trust anything to be done to your standards, expect everything to be out of square, level and true.
2. Communicate project budgets to all parties.
3. Always get a materials list before shopping to ensure we don't already have stock.
4. Do it right the first time, regardless of delays, or expense. Done right is better than done fast.
5. Always get the latest material prices before a final quote.
6. Deposit checks the second they arrive.
7. Define a project budget and save receipts. Only reimburse documented expenses.

Caring for the Earth

1. Always have a refillable water bottle with you.
2. Have a burn pile or barrel, burn wood and paper, ideally for heat, compost organic stuff.
3. Reduce first, then reuse, than if it actually helps, recycle.

Designing a Home

1. Have the minimum number of lights and switches, turning on and off lights should be sensible, and effortless, for anyone.
2. Design the electrical system to allow a complete shutdown of non critical circuits with one switch.
3. Place a heater such that your towels are warm and dry and the bathroom is warm.
4. Size a house only as big as you can perfectly organize and maintain.
5. Smaller is better, simpler is better.

Designing a Shop

1. Separate the large machines from the main work area for sound and dust control.
2. Consider your process, move from dirty and rough to clean and precise zones.
3. An overhead air hose and extension cord will save much time and headache.
4. Light the space from 3 angles to eliminate shadows.
5. Store glue and chemicals in an sealed and insulated cabinet like an old fridge.
6. Decide on a style, quality, and standard of fasteners early, and stock up on various sizes and lengths. Design for these fasteners, try not to use too many custom parts.

Large Building Projects

1. Have huge stacks of 2x4, 2x6, and plywood proportional to the size of your job up front. You need more than you think, and constant trips to the store wastes time.
2. Always dig from top to bottom.
3. Have an area for materials to be organized where they won't blow away.
4. Label everything.

Vehicles

1. If you get a vehicle, immediately get the professional diagnostic and repair manuals and a scanner.
2. A car should have jumper cables and a can of fuel in it immediately and at all times.
3. Research common failures first, when times are good, prevent and remedy them.
4. Always, always, always, shower off chemical grime after working on a vehicle.
5. Replace unknown fasteners with quality ones, you never know what a replacement part comes with.
6. Print out all torque specs and instructions for each component first.

Shipping Items

1. Always pad, wrap and restrain items before crating.
2. Crate should be of 2x4 and plywood, fully enclosed, with necessary provisions for forklift usage if needed. Assume the item will be rammed and pierced with a forklift. Include shock or temperature indicators if needed.
3. 8 Angle and video walk around at each stage of shipment, require client to do the same.
4. Always purchase real value insurance from a 3rd party carrier.

Organization and Minimalism

1. Keep a supply closet, this is your first stop on the way to the store. Only remove materials you need to replenish your active use supply. Don’t get more than you need, but store the extra.
2. Have a single todo list, don't use just any scrap of paper.
3. Get rid of multiples, how many #1 flat head screwdrivers do you need?
4. All your items incur a debt of care, too many will suffocate you.