It greatly speeds your progress to know definitely and clearly what you wish to accomplish. It increases your chances of success when you know yourself, your abilities, and the difficulties you may have to overcome.
Many of the tragic failures of life are due to impulsive and ill-considered plans. It is better to spend months if necessary in careful contemplation of a new project, than to plunge headlong into inevitable failure.
When you need outside advice, go directly to an authority. In an important enterprise, take nothing for granted. Prudent foresight will save you from many disasters. Success is often the result of right choice, rather than the possession of exceptional talents.
