Ask HN: Advice that changed your life?

I also try not to express my opinion in absolutes – I tend to tell that "I think that...", "I believe that", "as far as I know", etc. It is, in a way, a philosophical position – I am aware that I do not know about many things, that someone may be more expert in a given field than me. So, I am trying to keep an open mind, be open to discussion, and not impose my own opinion on others just because I feel that I am right.

I have been living by these principles for years and I feel good.

However, I would not advise anyone to take similar stance. It depends on the company culture, probably it differs from country to country too... Still, from my experience, it may hurt you career. In most places where I worked, that kind of behavior was perceived as a weakness.

Hell, I remember being told that I will not become a manager, because there is no place for "don't know". But it was quite toxic workplace anyway.

Helpers - may not have a vision of their own, but good at contributing to projects they enjoy.

Fixers - good at identifying and solving problems in existing projects.

Lots more, I imagine.

   1. An estimate is better than a guess. An measurement is better than an estimate.
   2. It's never the money. (They will always say it is, but it's not.)
   3. Never let anyone eat your lunch.
   4. The best time to turn it on is before it's ready. You'll get plenty of data to finish it faster.
   5. The only good Powerpoint slide is evergreen. If it's not, it's already obsolete.
   6. Your positive mental attitude makes up for most of your shortcomings.
   7. Learning the difference between an issue and a detail is half the battle.
   8. Avoid introducing new jargon. It's already hard enough to understand.
   9. Isolate. Isolate. Isolate.
  10. If it's not written down, it's not.
  11. The reason everyone we work for sucks is because those who don't suck never call us.
  12. If you set aside something urgent to go to Happy Hour, how will our annual report differ? (Hint: It won't.)
  13. What's the good news? (No matter how bad things are, never hesitate to answer.)
  14. A degree in business is a degree in nothing.
  15. The answer to any question is "Who wants to know?" (See https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=1084127)
  16. No project ever dies but many are abandoned.
  17. Self praise stinks.
  18. If someone can do something once, they can do it again.
  19. Almost anyone can do almost anything.
  And my favorite: 20. Ultimately, go with your gut.