Think about what could go wrong

The optimist dreams about what could go right. The pessimist has nightmares of what could go wrong. But you should do both.

If unexpected blows fall heaviest, we can mitigate pain and suffering by thinking on things that could go wrong while preserving our right to dream about what will go right.

Then execute and if it goes right, you win. If it goes wrong, at least the blow will not land as heavy.