PSYCHOLOGY
1) Always watch the eyes, they give the first indication of imminent action.

MILITARY
1) The first casualty of war is... all of the pre-war planning.
2) The first casualty of peace is... the truth.
3) Any decision, even if it is flawed, is better than no decision. (decision errors will usually become apparent with enough time to adjust/correct)

NAVIGATION
1) The 2 outside stars of the Big Dipper's cup generally point towards the North Star.
2) The scabbard hanging down from Orion's Belt, always points South.
3) When in an area of many open iron ore mines, question what your compass says.

WOODLANDS SURVIVAL
1) A practiced Tracker is always aware of the previous week's weather.
2) Priorities in the wilds: shelter, water, food, warmth.

COMMON SENSE
1) Buying a car is not a question of how much money you did or didn't save, it's actually a question of how BIG or how LITTLE of a screwing you actually took!
2) If it sounds too good to be true, then it is most likely, FALSE!



These are a few things that I can come up with off the top of my head. Add/share your Rules of Thumb with us all.

Navigation

If something is in your way, like a fallen tree, go around it. Don't blindly climb over or try to navigate everything in your path. Going around obstacles saves injuries. I have seen more stupid accidents by people trying to go over, under or through obstacles, rather than simply going around them.

One for my wife....Always cut with the knife moving AWAY from you.

If you are in town, always have a dollar per mile between you and home. In cash.

In the field, always carry twice as much water as you think you'll need between refills, gather five times firewood as you think will be enough for the night, and carry meds and food for at least a third longer than you planned to be out.

"The pointy end goes in the other man!" - The Mask of Zorro

-Blast

Don't try to travel in the dark unless you're used to it, or possibly if you're in the desert.

Don't wait until dusk to find shelter. Try to get everything you need to do done in daylight.

Don't be afraid of wolves or coyotes, they aren't a danger unless they're rabid. Bears and cougars are something else.

Pay attention to your surroundings. Look back frequently in case you have to backtrack -- you'll know what it looks like. Don't be one of those airheads that travel the woods listening to music.

Don't signal for help and then keep moving.

The Golden Rule: If you think you're lost, STOP! Unless you need to take shelter from the sun/heat, park yourself out in the open during the day, where you can be seen from the air.

"Nothing is foolproof, because fools are so ingenious."

PPPPPP [censored] Poor Planning Prevents Proper Performance
PPPPPP Proper Planning Prevents [censored] Poor Performance
PPPPPP Proper Preparation Prevents [censored]-Poor Performance
PPPPPP Proper Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance

Take your pick of acronym's

or more generally all ways look on the bright side of life

If your situation changes, you have to change your plans to fit what is happening now. Don't try to force the new situation to fit the old plan.

Life rule #1 Never lick a steak knife
#2 Never drink anything blue
#3 Trust everyone, but cut the cards