Things I have learned (often the hard way)

A non-exhaustive list of truths from IT, cars, and business. None of these are controversial. They only feel controversial when you’re living the opposite.

• If it’s not monitored, it’s not managed.
• “It’s always worked before” is not evidence; it’s nostalgia.
• Anything can be fixed with enough time and money. The tricky part is picking one.
• If the vendor says it’s “seamless”, check what they mean by seam.
• Every project has two budgets: the one you wrote down, and the one reality will invoice you for later.
• Classic cars don’t break more. They just don’t pretend they didn’t.

If you recognise yourself in any of these, don’t worry. I do too.